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
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
There was a sudden spring shower, which stiffened into rain.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
The journey of King Charles and the Queen consort had been planned for some time, well before relations between the United Kingdom and the United States stiffened due to international tensions, compounded by the assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
—Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
June stiffened, a pillar of ice.
—Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Officials this year have increased restrictions on flying drones and stiffened the penalties for their unauthorized use—including jail time.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
The nail seemed to have expanded and warped and stiffened.
—Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
The prime minister’s demeanor stiffened.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Charles Albert’s attitude toward Austria had stiffened in the years before 1846, and an unavowed toleration was given to the Turin moderates who emphasized the anti-Austrian rather than the constitutional aspects of the Italian problem.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
His eyes locked to the right, his tiny body stiffened and his face turned red.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
There was a sudden spring shower, which stiffened into rain.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
The journey of King Charles and the Queen consort had been planned for some time, well before relations between the United Kingdom and the United States stiffened due to international tensions, compounded by the assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
—Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
June stiffened, a pillar of ice.
—Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Officials this year have increased restrictions on flying drones and stiffened the penalties for their unauthorized use—including jail time.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
The nail seemed to have expanded and warped and stiffened.
—Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
The prime minister’s demeanor stiffened.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Charles Albert’s attitude toward Austria had stiffened in the years before 1846, and an unavowed toleration was given to the Turin moderates who emphasized the anti-Austrian rather than the constitutional aspects of the Italian problem.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffened
Adjective
-
Too often, carbon fiber, while impressively stiff, comes off looking cheap or plasticky.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
-
Many newer designs rely on strategic ruching, molded cups, or tapered padding rather than stiff foam inserts that feel bulky and dig in.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
This would, among other things, give a new direction to the relationship with the United States, creating new opportunities that benefit Colombia…Under our administration, the relationship with the United States would be strengthened and revitalized.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Twenty-five years later, their creative synergy has only strengthened.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
But children and adults under age 65 are subject to periodic assessments of their eligibility and must adhere to the program’s rigid rules.—
Katie Savin,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
O’Farrell’s inclination for narratives propelled by brutal coincidence and fatally poor timing tenders a Hardy-esque vision of the world, one that emphasizes the rigid, often cruel limits of an individual’s jurisdiction over the course of their life.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
The dates up to that point were solid, according to Kristin.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
The breakfast menu is solid, with great coffee, a strong smoothie list, and things like overnight oats and an elevated take on an egg and cheese.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stiffened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffened. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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