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
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Recent Examples of stiffen
Forfang and teammate Marius Lindvik were suspended for three months last year after their coaches and a staff member were caught on camera adding stitching to stiffen the crotch area to help the athletes fly farther.
—
ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
The luxury retailer, weighed down by debt, is under pressure as consumers shift their shopping habits and competition stiffens.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, a senior cabinet member said.
—Michal Kubala, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Extra material had been sewn into the crotch to stiffen and add surface area that would help during takeoff.
—Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026
The luxury retailer, weighed down by debt, is under pressure as consumers shift their shopping habits and competition stiffens.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, a senior cabinet member said.
—Michal Kubala, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
Extra material had been sewn into the crotch to stiffen and add surface area that would help during takeoff.
—Brian Melley, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffen
strengthen
Verb
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This serum purportedly counteracts that, working to de-age the scalp, thus thickening and strengthening strands.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
6 Mar. 2026
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The first step replenishes skin’s water levels, and the second protects it—a combination that improves elasticity, calms inflammation, and strengthens barrier integrity.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stiffen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffen. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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