She stiffened when he grabbed her shoulder.
The dogs stiffened in alarm.
The law would stiffen penalties for tax evasion.
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What began as breathlessness hardened into silicosis, an irreversible disease that stiffens the lungs until even ordinary movement becomes effort.—Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026 After the deputies put him back into the chair, Mitchell’s body stiffened, with his legs straight in front of him and his head lolling back.—USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026 Leaving them out for too long can cause the fibers to stiffen.—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026 The materials can bend, buckle, or stiffen without electronics, sensors, or active control.—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stiffen