1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
he was too stiff-necked to admit that "underlings" might have useful ideas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
her dinner parties are typically stiff-necked affairs, more to be endured than enjoyed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
obviously uninterested in hearing any excuses, the stiff-necked officer handed me my speeding ticket with a flourish
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiff-necked
But some Jews stubbornly refused to assimilate and continued the sometimes strange and stiff-necked traditions of our people.
—
TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff-necked
Adjective
-
The targets of Trump’s economic aggression will accept greater hardship to preserve their dignity than American voters will for the privilege of acting like arrogant menaces.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
-
This feud carries on today, with Hogan having called out Hart for being too arrogant.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Brooks had heard of the band and after a formal event one evening came into the bar with his wife.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
8 May 2025
-
On April 30, the Senate committee that oversees NASA and other federal science agencies gave Isaacman its nod to advance to a formal confirmation vote in the full chamber.—
Leonard David,
Scientific American,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
Those stubborn dark spots that once felt like permanent guests on my face are finally starting to fade, and my complexion looks brighter and more even-toned.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
My life was just 93 more respondents away from being cosmically deemed correct!—
Jessie Rosen,
People.com,
3 May 2025
-
The directionally correct, if poorly executed: DOGE, gang deportations, the ...—
NR Editors,
National Review,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Yet even as Bix seems to be an avatar for all the suffering and trauma the Star Wars galaxy has to offer, Arjona is adamant that her character is not a victim.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
-
The league is adamant that the managers and front-office execs were informed, that front offices were updated on the specifics of the umpires’ labor agreement in writing and that there was no intent to keep anyone in the dark.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
In contrast, Trump faces stiff opposition in liberal states.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Despite being high cut and stiff, Jackson’s combination of explosiveness and raw power will keep him in the league for a long time.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There may be a nice bunch of grapes, a couple slices of melon, and a hunk of juicy homegrown tomato.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
-
Elite firepower, stingy defense, and all-world goaltending to tie a nice bow on it.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
Far from solemn, the atmosphere has turned into a party of thousands.—
Katie Primm,
NBC news,
9 May 2025
-
Over the decades, observance of V-E Day in the West has assumed a more muted, solemn tone.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff-necked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-necked. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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