as in strengthening
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 stiffening
Look for signs like the cat stopping purring, stiffening, thrashing their tail, or hissing.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Afterwards, a squaring solution—a powdery mixture of water and a gel-like batter used in the decorative cake business—is applied to the inside of the hat’s crown to act as a stiffening agent.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
China has been a consistent source of stress for Apple, given the stiffening smartphone competition and its huge manufacturing presence in the country.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
But most recently it has been hit from several sides, most notably stiffening competition primarily from Amazon, off-pricers and membership clubs as well as Walmart and Target.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Afterwards, a squaring solution—a powdery mixture of water and a gel-like batter used in the decorative cake business—is applied to the inside of the hat’s crown to act as a stiffening agent.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
China has been a consistent source of stress for Apple, given the stiffening smartphone competition and its huge manufacturing presence in the country.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
But most recently it has been hit from several sides, most notably stiffening competition primarily from Amazon, off-pricers and membership clubs as well as Walmart and Target.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffening
strengthening
Verb
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The Corps proposed strengthening the bank by implementing riprap, or rocks.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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According to the National Weather Service, a strengthening cold front is making its way across the country toward Nashville.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiffening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffening. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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