as in to strengthen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
plans to further stiffen the already onerous requirements for admission to the elite military unit
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Recent Examples of stiffen
The defense stiffened, forcing two punts and a turnover on downs to set up Chris Callahan’s game-winning 28-yard kick.
—
David Ubben, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The schedule stiffens considerably over the back half of the season.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Lucy’s Law, among other things, stiffens the penalties for seriously injuring someone in a boat crash.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Posture And Mobility: Undoing The Sedentary Spiral Extended sitting does more than stiffen your spine.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
David Ubben, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The schedule stiffens considerably over the back half of the season.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025
Lucy’s Law, among other things, stiffens the penalties for seriously injuring someone in a boat crash.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Posture And Mobility: Undoing The Sedentary Spiral Extended sitting does more than stiffen your spine.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffen
strengthen
Verb
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Knowing whether the solution keeps your headcount neutral or—better yet—helps net some efficiency only strengthens your argument.—
Dave Merkel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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For example, strengthening your biceps can enhance your ability to perform a pull-up.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiffen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffen. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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