as in stiff
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
stiffened corpses an old-fashioned dress with a stiffened lace collar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiffened
Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2026
As the Timberwolves’ defense stiffened, their shots finally started falling.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Outrage from the left about that maneuver stiffened Democratic spirits for a confrontation in the fall.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025
Michael Carroll’s son stiffened — a cold jolt running through him — when his shovel struck what looked like rags and bones in the basement on Halloween eve 2018.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Here, it is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and the suspension has been stiffened a little for a sportier feel.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2025
The Broncos' defense stiffened in the fourth quarter yet again, but finally bent at the end of regulation in surrendering a game-tying field-goal drive.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
New Mexico moved methodically downfield with the opening possession, using half the first quarter before the SDSU defense stiffened and limited the Lobos to a 37-yard field goal.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2025
Drew stiffened as Theo Wiggins headed his way.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Democrats in Congress stiffened their opposition to an appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a partial government shutdown.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2026
As the Timberwolves’ defense stiffened, their shots finally started falling.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Outrage from the left about that maneuver stiffened Democratic spirits for a confrontation in the fall.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Dec. 2025
Michael Carroll’s son stiffened — a cold jolt running through him — when his shovel struck what looked like rags and bones in the basement on Halloween eve 2018.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Here, it is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and the suspension has been stiffened a little for a sportier feel.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2025
The Broncos' defense stiffened in the fourth quarter yet again, but finally bent at the end of regulation in surrendering a game-tying field-goal drive.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Dec. 2025
New Mexico moved methodically downfield with the opening possession, using half the first quarter before the SDSU defense stiffened and limited the Lobos to a 37-yard field goal.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2025
Drew stiffened as Theo Wiggins headed his way.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffened
Adjective
-
Remove and use an electric mixer to whisk until the meringue holds stiff, glossy peaks, about 3-4 minutes.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
7 Mar. 2026
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Wind or a slight breeze helps the fibers to stay moving, which helps to prevent the stiff feeling.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The development effort includes strengthened safety standards built directly into the ship design.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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Major oil and gas producers in the Persian Gulf region curbed output as the US-Israeli war with Iran showed no sign of resolution, while the dollar strengthened against all of its major peers.—
Robin Paxton,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In the South, gardening is less about rigid dates and more about reading the season.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
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That powder-keg moment quickly spread nationwide, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with a regime that has systematically devastated the country while clinging to its rigid ideology.—
Lily Moayeri,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Available in solid, semi-solid, and semi-transparent finishes, Acorn is a part of Cabot's extensive Exterior Wood Stain and Sealer line.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
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Original screenplay feels very solid as well—and, of course, the phenomenon that is KPop Demon Hunters will almost certainly pick up two Oscars.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stiffened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffened. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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