as in to isolate
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
in his sad and lonely old age, he stiff-armed even once-beloved friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of stiff-arm
The 24-song set reeled in an impressive 280,000 equivalent album units, stiff-arming a surging Bad Bunny from pole position.
—
Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 19 Feb. 2026
Indiana kept its circle tight and held its belief tighter, stiff-arming infiltrators and doubters with equal authority.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
In that sense, stiff-arming Disney is not likely to result in long-term satisfied customers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Lindsey needed to stiff-arm a tackler and every single inch to reach the pylon, as well as a replay review to uphold it, in order to score the game-winning touchdown in a 23-20 overtime win at Huntington Bank Stadium.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 1 Nov. 2025
But Sage essentially struck a Heisman Trophy pose, stiff-arming Shannon from any sort of reconciliation.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Dart finished that run by winding up a big stiff-arm for Chargers cornerback Cam Hart.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Kelce hauled in a 23-yard reception while stiff-arming Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Sire Gaines #26 of the Boise State Broncos stiff-arms Kajuan Banks #13 of the South Florida Bulls in the first half of a game at Raymond James Stadium on August 28, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 19 Feb. 2026
Indiana kept its circle tight and held its belief tighter, stiff-arming infiltrators and doubters with equal authority.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026
In that sense, stiff-arming Disney is not likely to result in long-term satisfied customers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Lindsey needed to stiff-arm a tackler and every single inch to reach the pylon, as well as a replay review to uphold it, in order to score the game-winning touchdown in a 23-20 overtime win at Huntington Bank Stadium.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 1 Nov. 2025
But Sage essentially struck a Heisman Trophy pose, stiff-arming Shannon from any sort of reconciliation.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Dart finished that run by winding up a big stiff-arm for Chargers cornerback Cam Hart.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Kelce hauled in a 23-yard reception while stiff-arming Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Sire Gaines #26 of the Boise State Broncos stiff-arms Kajuan Banks #13 of the South Florida Bulls in the first half of a game at Raymond James Stadium on August 28, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff-arm
Verb
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Meteorologists note the possibility of small-scale spin-ups along the leading edge, meaning any tornadoes that form are likely to be isolated.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Des Moines Register,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the storms have the potential to be strong, mainly in far northwest Missouri, with gusty winds, heavy rains and isolated large hail possible, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Still, with Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, Sexton and the Hornets insist the easiest way to keep the chatter from becoming a distraction is to stiff arm it as much as possible.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Feb. 2026
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Say goodbye to stiff towels with these tips for how to make towels soft again.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Khan was sentenced Monday after San Joaquin Superior Court Judge Richard Mallett rejected his motion to withdraw his no contest plea in the criminal case, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday in a news release.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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McClain and three other runners who followed the lead vehicle appealed after their protest of the order of finish was rejected.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
And Republicans are among those repulsed by the ongoing scandals.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Idaho lawmakers are trying to balance the budget this year after cutting over $450 million in revenue in 2025.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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One piece of legislation that's drawn a lot of attention is a resolution that could have cut property taxes for homeowners by 75% or more through a state constitutional amendment.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Consignment stores rely on stocking items that feel current, so anything that screams a specific past era—think cold-shoulder tops or a bandage dress—isn’t likely to make the cut.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
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Over the next half decade, Biden cold-shouldered the Turkish government.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Grow Repellant Plants Some plants entice gophers to visit gardens, while other plants naturally repel gophers and other pests away from flower and vegetable beds.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
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The constitution also states that the president is the commander in chief of the armed forces and preserves his or her ability to repel sudden attacks.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wenner reneged on his word and McCartney was snubbed as a soloist until 1999.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Mar. 2026
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But the relationship evolves into a power play as Jennifer, who confronts sexism at every turn within her family dynamic, feels snubbed when Fernando starts pursuing a more fulfilling, robust career as a ballet dancer — on his own merits.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stiff-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-arm. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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