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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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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1
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiff
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
All these efforts faced stiff resistance from a variety of vested interests in the State Department, Congress, and Washington think tanks.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Failing to comply can lead to stiff fines (up to 4% of a company’s turnover) and disrupt market access.
—Florent Bouguin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Even while stunt workers are getting more recognition, there are still those in the industry who see them merely as working stiffs.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
Using too much detergent leaves soapy residue in fabrics, trapping dirt, bacteria, and hard water minerals, which leaves clothes looking dull, feeling stiff and scratchy, and smelling bad.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
All these efforts faced stiff resistance from a variety of vested interests in the State Department, Congress, and Washington think tanks.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
The past two comparable moves in this small-investor proxy, in November 2022 and March 2022, led to stiff near-term declines in the basket within weeks.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Failing to comply can lead to stiff fines (up to 4% of a company’s turnover) and disrupt market access.
—Florent Bouguin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
Mickey 17 was a stiff in its opening weekend at the domestic box office, earning, per The Numbers, $19 million from 3,807 theaters.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Even while stunt workers are getting more recognition, there are still those in the industry who see them merely as working stiffs.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
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The Hopkins clinic fit squarely into the desire of these movements to offer Americans alternatives to the rigid gender roles and compulsory heterosexuality of the Cold War era.—
Time,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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Different from a program of record, which reflects a rigid requirement and often a single vendor, a capability of record signals the need for ongoing capability, such as for small drones.—
Michael Brown,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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Sanctions have roiled Russia's economy and Trump could use tougher measures as leverage over Putin, said Richard Portes, professor of economics at London Business School.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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August started strong with an excessive heat warning across the Valley and temperatures climbing well above 110 degrees.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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But around 50% of students feel that excessive reliance on AI could harm their academic performance, according to research from the Digital Education Council in 2024.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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But unlike climate change, turning it around doesn’t have to be that hard, and the benefits will be felt immediately.—
WIRED,
WIRED,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Less Strain: Reaching over your child’s car seat can be uncomfortable and awkward.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
16 Aug. 2025
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For some, the action echoes uncomfortable historical chapters when politicians used language to paint predominantly Black cities with racist narratives to shape public opinion and justify police action.—
John Seewer,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This deep understanding of local transportation patterns would have been difficult with rapid multi-city expansion.—
Tima Bansal,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Ligon said the system is also difficult to navigate for providers, many of whom are first-time business owners.—
Beki San Martin,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Developing intuition, understanding how the business and industry works and understanding how to navigate within an organization are all skills that only come from getting a few years of experience or through formal training.—
Larry English,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Avoiding formal termination also helps companies sidestep severance packages and legal risk.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In his memoir, Perry recalled how Aniston was the first costar to confront him about his troubles despite him never having been drunk on set.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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In August 2024, the nursing home was penalized when federal surveyors found that two residents were leaving the nursing home without signing out and then returning drunk.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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