as in to strengthen
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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Recent Examples of stiffen
The whole squad has put up an impressive 18 scores in four tourney matches, though competition now stiffens for single elimination.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 May 2025
My forehead stiffened and went numb, like it was made of concrete that had suddenly set.
—Sarah Miller, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2025
Many Republicans would like to stiffen the work requirements by requiring work of recipients who are up to age 65 or are the parents of children who are more than six years old.
—Tracy Roof, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2025
The Police Department, along with representatives from AT&T and Spectrum, are urging lawmakers to stiffen the penalties for cable theft.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 May 2025
My forehead stiffened and went numb, like it was made of concrete that had suddenly set.
—Sarah Miller, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2025
Many Republicans would like to stiffen the work requirements by requiring work of recipients who are up to age 65 or are the parents of children who are more than six years old.
—Tracy Roof, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2025
The Police Department, along with representatives from AT&T and Spectrum, are urging lawmakers to stiffen the penalties for cable theft.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffen
strengthen
Verb
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While Italy aims to strengthen its vital connection to Sicily, China has been systematically building the world's highest bridges.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 Aug. 2025
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Honoring my Guatemalan ancestry only strengthens my commitment to America.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiffen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffen. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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