stiffly

adverb

Definition of stifflynext
1
as in harshly
in a manner so as to cause loss or suffering stiffly criticized for making such indiscreet comments in public

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strongly
in a vigorous and forceful manner a stiffly fought battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffly
  1. harshly
  2. strongly
  3. severely
  4. vigorously
  5. oppressively
  6. forcibly
  7. firmly
  8. fiercely
Adverb
  • But their complaints come as Lecornu's government seeks to rein in public spending to appease skittish bond markets, which have punished France more harshly than many of its peers this year, amid a global bond market rout.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • His government has also been harshly criticized for a migration crisis in Ceuta.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of harshly
Adverb
  • Near the epicenter, the agency estimated an intensity of VIII, classified as severe on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, which measures how strongly the ground shakes at individual locations.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This endeavor is not easy, and these companies are strongly advocating for abolishing the leap second.
    — Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of strongly
Adverb
  • The attacks and the air raid alerts that accompany them have severely disrupted life in the city, forcing millions to constantly seek shelter and paralyzing the capital’s businesses and transport networks.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
  • While much of the AI safety debate has centered on losing control of AI, Altman said restricting access to AI too severely in the name of safety could be harmful too.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of severely
Adverb
  • Flock stands by the accuracy and integrity of its technology and intends to vigorously defend itself in this litigation.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Whisk vigorously until the mixture turns pale and thick like wet sand, 2 to 3 minutes -- this is the espumita base.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of vigorously
Adverb
  • The summer had seen Europe endure an oppressively dry, hot summer, which had seen wildfires spring up across the continent.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • After a bit of a reprieve from an oppressively hot summer, another heat wave is set to scorch Southern California this week.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppressively
Adverb
  • Almost 260 million people need assistance, including over 118 million forcibly displaced — a grim world record — while governments retreat from funding the response.
    — Jeannie Annan, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Some 70,000 of its citizens forcibly crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the tip of North Africa.
    — Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of forcibly
Adverb
  • All your living room furniture should sit firmly on the rug (in a bedroom, nightstands are the exception).
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Using your hands, firmly press ends down toward platter to split potatoes open.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of firmly
Adverb
  • The backlash was swift, and pro-Israel groups fiercely criticized Macklemore, and he was later removed from the rest of Sheeran’s stadium tour.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Carrie follows misfit high‑schooler Carrie White (Howell) after having spent her life hidden away inside the walls of her home with her fiercely protective mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan).
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of fiercely
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.

Browse Nearby Words

stiffing
stiffly
stiff-necked
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Cite this Entry

“Stiffly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffly. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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