stiff 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstif How to pronounce stiff (audio)
Definition of stiffnext
1
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending use a stiff piece of paper for the project

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2
as in tough
difficult to endure stiff winds

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3
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount don't you think that's a pretty stiff fine for such a minor infraction?

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4
as in hard
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure stir two cups of flour with the remaining ingredients to make a stiff dough

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5
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance felt stiff and ill-at-ease whenever she was introduced to her parents' friends

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6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort we'll have a stiff climb to actually reach the summit

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7
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details the stiff politeness with which I was greeted suggested that they weren't truly happy to see me

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8
as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol seeing that the customer was more than a little stiff, the bartender offered to call a cab for him

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stiff

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to cut
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events

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2
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats customers who were too embarrassed to admit that they had been stiffed by an Internet company claiming to sell designer handbags

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stiff

3 of 3

noun

1
as in corpse
a dead body to the mortician, a stiff was a stiff and they were all pretty much alike

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2
as in person
a member of the human race one lucky stiff will get the biggest jackpot in the lottery's history

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stiff distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words inflexible and rigid are common synonyms of stiff. While all three words mean "difficult to bend," stiff may apply to any degree of this condition.

stretching keeps your muscles from becoming stiff

In what contexts can inflexible take the place of stiff?

The meanings of inflexible and stiff largely overlap; however, inflexible stresses lack of suppleness or pliability.

ski boots with inflexible soles

When would rigid be a good substitute for stiff?

In some situations, the words rigid and stiff are roughly equivalent. However, rigid applies to something so stiff that it cannot be bent without breaking.

a rigid surfboard

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stiff
Adjective
The Paradigm 8 also tackles stability without causing that unnaturally stiff sensation. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 Democrats, neurotic from decades of defeat, are wringing their hands as usual, saying Jolly is too stiff on stage, too wonkish, not funny enough. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Verb
Say goodbye to stiff towels with these tips for how to make towels soft again. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026 When your sugar mixture reaches 230°F, begin beating your egg whites to firm peak stage; egg whites will hold their shape but not quite to stiff peak stage. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Now the working stiffs are white-collar people. — Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026 The bar remains a point of pride, originally a place where patrons made their own drinks and now a place where bartenders mix the stiff, old‑school cocktails. — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
  1. rigid
  2. tough
  3. excessive
  4. hard
  5. uncomfortable
  6. difficult
  7. formal
  8. drunk
Adjective
  • Similarly, relying on a single, rigid path for payments is no longer enough, and alternative routes must be available.
    — Moshe Kimhi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The ferry, Edghill said, was fitted with 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts and six inflatable life rafts.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Definition of rigid
Adjective
  • The city's local Democratic lawmakers claim that the tough-on-crime policies only temporarily reduced crime while troop presence was at its peak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Lopez and multiple bullpen arms got out of tough jams to limit the Red Sox 16 baserunners across the first nine innings to just two runs, only one earned.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • However, Leo’s shadow can show up as a mix of defensiveness, entitlement or an excessive attachment to validation.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • That said, a recent Europe-wide survey by EU-OSHA reveals that concerns about excessive heat are becoming increasingly universal, with one in five workers reporting unhealthy exposure to extreme temperatures and around one in eight to intense sun.
    — Oliver Balch, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • Not play-act, but do the real work, make the hard and noble choices, not forsake his vows but live by them.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Adding another employee, buying a new piece of equipment, or expanding into a larger space all become harder when the tax code penalizes those investments.
    — Kent Strang, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026
Definition of hard
Adjective
  • Then, in his most recent outing against the Angels, Skubal dominated for seven shutout innings, a forceful reminder of the ability that led him to this uncomfortable precipice.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Abi Adamson, author of Culture Blooming (the Substack and book) starts somewhere more uncomfortable.
    — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of uncomfortable
Adjective
  • Strickland said even getting equipment on the road during construction can be difficult for farmers.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 July 2026
  • While following the money may be difficult, there are other signs of the growing role of organized crime in politics.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • The company noticed the order, reached out, and built a formal marketing relationship from there.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Lenders, too, can adjust their rate offers upward as a formal rate hike grows in likelihood.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • Civil lawsuit filed Gary Catronio’s daughter and her best friend were killed in 2013 by a drunk, wrong-way driver on the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Another, Jenny Racicot, said that, in 2021, Platner arrived at her house, drunk and uninvited.
    — Jasper Craven, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
Definition of drunk

Phrases Containing stiff

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sties
stiff
stiff-arm
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Cite this Entry

“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of stiff for Spanish Speakers

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