1
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
use a stiff piece of paper for the project
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiff
Sara Coughlin, SELF, 9 June 2025
Listeriosis can result in fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 July 2024
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, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Florent Bouguin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Trump’s move on Wednesday to place stiff new tariffs on imports from nearly all U.S. trading partners marks an all-in bet by the Republican that his once-fringe economic vision will pay off for Americans.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
The latest version, the Pegasus 41, won a SELF Sneaker Award last year for its do-it-all design—pretty much anyone can step into this sneaker, hit the road, and enjoy its balanced (read: not too stiff; not too firm) ride.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 9 June 2025
Listeriosis can result in fever, muscle aches, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Noun
Focusing mostly on the commercial fishing boat Andrea Gail and its doomed crew of working-class stiffs (including pre-megastardom George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, not to mention John Hawkes and John C. Reilly), the film is a clinic in stomach-gnawing tension.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 July 2024
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, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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
Trump’s move on Wednesday to place stiff new tariffs on imports from nearly all U.S. trading partners marks an all-in bet by the Republican that his once-fringe economic vision will pay off for Americans.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
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First, consider dynamic withdrawal strategies that adjust based on portfolio performance, rather than rigid rules.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
21 June 2025
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Because questioning takes courage, especially in rigid hierarchies.—
Oscar Chavez-Arrieta,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Nor is anything that tough necessary to prevent chronic illness.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Some locals in Venice, which has dealt with overtourism that has strained the city’s infrastructure and services for years, will protest the wedding over concerns its scale will worsen some of the issues created by excessive tourist crowds.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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According to Mock, your professional maid service will not have the proper tools to safely remove excessive mold issues.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
21 June 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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The five-year commemoration of that day is particularly hard for Jennifer, who usually shies away from talking publicly about her loss.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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The family lives on the 18th floor of a high-rise building and getting into the underground garage that doubles as a bomb shelter during Russian attacks is an uncomfortable experience.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
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The other panelists and the show's host all tried to move past the comedian's uncomfortable move and go on with the show.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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This moderately difficult, half-mile trail through the Mission Hills Open Space, is located across from Pioneer Park.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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Attorney Nicole Blank Becker, who represents R. Kelly, told Fox News Digital that jurors, just like anyone else, have a difficult time separating emotions from charges.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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For example, according to The Australian, firms with formal mentorship programs see 23% higher retention among women.—
Raquel Gomes,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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The law also limited the deployment of armed forces to 60 days, with a 30-day withdrawal period, in the absence of a formal declaration of war.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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And maybe a little drunk and sick from all that oily food and crappy wine.—
Helen Schulman,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
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Yet the car will likely obey speed limits, never get drowsy or drunk and never rubberneck or give in to road rage.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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