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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stiffened
Verb
The Chiefs’ defense stiffened and Indy faced a fourth-and-8 from the 15-yard line. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffened
  1. stiff
  2. strengthened
  3. rigid
  4. solid
Adjective
  • Carl lowers his head like a hitter hit by a pitch, then rouses himself and breaks into a stiff, elderly trot, shooting a salute over at whoever’s inside the tilted little guard hut.
    — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That’s especially in a time of dwindling enrollment, soaring tuition and stiff competition between schools.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of stiff
Verb
  • Her creative expression extended beyond the runway into cultural moments that further strengthened the brand’s presence in fashion.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Erdogan’s attempt to foster an Ottoman-style pan-Islamism appears to have accelerated liberalization rather than strengthened religious conformity.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthened
Adjective
  • Detours and shortcuts in the brain The cells and synapses of the brain aren’t arranged in rigid, linear paths for each task and experience.
    — Sean Mccabe, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That potentially allows rigid structural elements and softer, flexible sections to be incorporated into the same object, provided the materials are compatible.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of rigid
Adjective
  • Kansas City is investigating how one of its solid waste trucks struck a bicyclist over the weekend, leaving the rider with life-threatening injuries.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Packers themselves have been solid as a team offensively, but notably rank dead last in the league in rushing yards.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of solid

Browse Nearby Words

stiffen
stiffened
stiffening
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Cite this Entry

“Stiffened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffened. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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