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
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
After the deputies put him back into the chair, Mitchell’s body stiffened, with his legs straight in front of him and his head lolling back.
—USA Today, 8 Mar. 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
Verb
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
After the deputies put him back into the chair, Mitchell’s body stiffened, with his legs straight in front of him and his head lolling back.
—USA Today, 8 Mar. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffened
Adjective
-
Still, Magyar would face a stiff challenge to meet the EU’s demands and unlock some funding before an August 31 deadline.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Apply degreaser to the stain, and use a stiff brush to work it into the concrete.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2025, state legislators strengthened that law by adding additional protections.—
Karen Brown,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
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Her approach reflects a belief that leadership is strengthened through curiosity, adaptability and persistence.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So instead of one rigid interaction style, Alexa+ shifts its behavior depending on the task.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Currently, the standard electrodes used are often too rigid and bulky to capture clear data for surgeries.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Shampoo Bars last at least 80 washes, equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo, while the Conditioner Bars last at least 120 washes -- one solid shampoo and conditioner set equals eight liquid bottles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
That would suggest a summit filled more with ceremony than substance, delivering solid if unspectacular outcomes.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stiffened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffened. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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