Synonyms of stiffened

stiffened 1 of 2

adjective

as in stiff

incapable of or highly resistant to bending

stiffened corpses

an old-fashioned dress with a stiffened lace collar

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stiff
• rigid
• solid
• brittle
• strong
• unyielding
• inflexible
• dense
• crisp
• sound
• hard
• compact
• inelastic
• substantial
• firm
• rheumatic
• arthritic
• nonelastic
• nonmalleable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flexible
• pliable
• elastic
• pliant
• floppy
• resilient
• supple
• yielding
• workable
• plastic
• springy
• malleable
• stretchy
• soft
• flaccid
• semiflexible
• flabby
• limp
• droopy
• squishy
• mushy
• squashy
• willowy
• limber
• lithe
• lank
• lithesome
• lissome
• semisoft

stiffened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of stiffen

as in strengthened

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

• strengthened
• hardened
• toughened
• harshened

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eased
• softened
• lessened
• ameliorated
• moderated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stiffened

Verb

But after a quick touchdown drive to take a 34-27 lead, the Oregon defense stiffened, and closed out the win with back-to-back stops. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Bile rose in Evie’s throat and her body stiffened under his touch. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

The possible move, unthinkable for legacy studios but in keeping with exits by businesses in other sectors, has only stiffened opposition to the merger in some corners. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Dogs that have stiffened up with age get an advanced joint-support chew with glucosamine, MSM, and collagen. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Graham's aorta, at 71, tore, a dissection along a wall stiffened by decades of what the medical examiner called arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. — Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Pulisic played a dynamic first half in the Americans' historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay to open their home World Cup nearly two weeks ago, but the AC Milan midfielder came off at halftime after an injury from training stiffened up. — ABC News, 24 June 2026

The moose flinched and stiffened. — Fred Bear, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026

Reintroduce moisture, apply heat to convert that water to steam, and those stiffened starch molecules soften again. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 3 June 2026