She stiffened when he grabbed her shoulder.
The dogs stiffened in alarm.
The law would stiffen penalties for tax evasion.
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These include stiffening of blood vessels, changes in heart muscle function and impaired ability of the cardiovascular system to respond to exertion.—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026 So, stiffen the luxury tax penalties for the Dodgers and the other big spenders.—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Salt dries into white rings, while melting snow can cause uneven water stains that stiffen leather, dull suede, and discolor fabric.—Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026 Outrage from the left about that maneuver stiffened Democratic spirits for a confrontation in the fall.—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stiffen