as in to strengthen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
plans to further stiffen the already onerous requirements for admission to the elite military unit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stiffen
Dalhausser, 45, needed a medical timeout early in the second set because his right shoulder began to stiffen up.
—
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
Unlike topcoat treatments or layered solutions—which can trap heat, wear off or stiffen the garment—the Fluid Channeling Fabric is woven into the material.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Aug. 2025
In addition to adjustable dampers, the Lyriq-V boasts a lowered suspension with components stiffened 10% to 600% from the base Lyriq, which was already a sporty and responsive SUV.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
The sounds capture tiny mechanical vibrations, sometimes caused by stiffening arteries or narrowing heart vessels, that can indicate the early onset of disease.
—Carla Mendez, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
Unlike topcoat treatments or layered solutions—which can trap heat, wear off or stiffen the garment—the Fluid Channeling Fabric is woven into the material.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Aug. 2025
In addition to adjustable dampers, the Lyriq-V boasts a lowered suspension with components stiffened 10% to 600% from the base Lyriq, which was already a sporty and responsive SUV.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
The sounds capture tiny mechanical vibrations, sometimes caused by stiffening arteries or narrowing heart vessels, that can indicate the early onset of disease.
—Carla Mendez, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffen
strengthen
Verb
-
But there is really no reason why this should be the case for Pilates—which consists of different low-impact movements to strengthen your core muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your posture and give you more awareness of your body in general.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Wieffer was bought to strengthen Brighton in the centre of the pitch following the summer 2023 sales of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea and Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiffen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffen. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share