STIFF Synonyms: 607 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stiff 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstif

Definition of stiff next

as in rigid

incapable of or highly resistant to bending use a stiff piece of paper for the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tough

difficult to endure stiff winds

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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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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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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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as in difficult

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

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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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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

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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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

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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Sales are also likely to slow as Nike faces stiffer competition in key product segments such as athleisure, where some demand seems likely to dry up, Piper Sandler said. —

Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026 This tee is the quintessential travel wardrobe staple—made from soft, breathable 100 percent organic cotton that keeps its shape without feeling stiff. —

Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026

Verb

Best Sweatpant Jeans Gap New Ease Jeans Say goodbye to stiff denim waistbands thanks to the Gap New Ease Jeans. —

Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 17 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

Behind the gross-out jokes and knife-sharp takes, there was a champion of the working stiff, a keen observer of history, a self-conscious artist with a deep love for writing and filmmaking. —

Gabe Hiatt, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2026 The Thing is one of those rare sci-fi horrors that stands the test of time due to its suspenseful pacing and its groundbreaking practical effects by Rob Bottin, leaving you both frozen and scared stiff. —

Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stiff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff

Adjective

Savannah, Georgia, is one of those rare cities that feels made for couples who want to wander without a rigid plan.

— Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
With the right attachments, my rigid Outsize is pretty good at reaching into corners.

— Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026

Definition of rigid

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sties

stiff

stiff-arm

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Style

“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of stiff

adjective

verb

noun

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Phrases Containing stiff

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stiff

More from Merriam-Webster

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