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
-
Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Gil, her nemesis, is hot, arrogant and unfortunately extremely kissable.—
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This is his first full album since the end of the YSL trial and his formal release from prison, following his guilty plea on October 31, 2024.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Still, if the DNI made a formal recommendation, the State Department is the issuing authority for foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designations.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For years, scientists have focused on finding ways to neutralize or eliminate this stubborn waste.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
-
That ever-persistent chasm that has existed between white students and those of color in public schools has remained stubborn in Michigan, where more than 18% of Michigan's public school students are Black.—
Lily Altavena,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Though Collier crashed to the court after the collision, the National Basketball Referees Association posted a highlight of the play on social media explaining why officials were correct not to blow the whistle.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
How much glue should there be between the whole thing to get the balance correct?—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While the police union is adamant the city needs to provide them raises, some community advocates have spoken out, arguing the police department already takes up a significant amount of the city's budget.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
And in a now-viral TikTok, Stunna was adamant about denying last-minute plus-ones to his wedding.—
Nathan Vinson,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Australia and Colombia present stiff competition.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The latter character ushers in a stiff but amusing Mark Cuban cameo.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With a turtleneck and jeans For an ensemble that’s nice (and warm) enough to wear in practically any situation, just add an eye-catching topper to your usual cold-weather combo.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Which would make a nice change of pace from the collective teeth-gnashing in FoCo lately.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Models walking the runway — staged at the Pinacoteca di Brera museum — had solemn expressions on their faces.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
If anything, their Didi and Gogo (Winter plays the former, the more cerebral and anxious of the two, and Reeves the latter, the disgruntled yet tender beta clown) are still a little on the solemn side.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff-necked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-necked. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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