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
Relevance
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
Adverb
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After Talley’s initial court hearing Monday, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara and Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza were among several officials who harshly criticized the passage of the SAFE-T Act and Lyke’s decision to grant Talley pretrial release.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026 -
Again, Gulutzan was reluctant to criticize his team too harshly given how close the series has been.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The activity for Initio, with functional fragrances meant to trigger emotions, is performing strongly, too.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
That philosophy has resonated strongly with patients throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Iran has repeatedly used internet shutdowns during periods of unrest, where access to the global internet is severely restricted or completely cut, making foreign websites and apps unreachable.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
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Conducting a soil test will eliminate the guesswork when choosing the right type and amount of fertilizer for your trees, as using too much fertilizer or the incorrect type can severely damage them.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
Adverb
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The White House did not respond to questions about how vigorously Trump would press for Lai's release.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
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Fox News and OutKick have previously reported that the NFL would also vigorously defend its antitrust exemption amid a Justice Department probe.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Adverb
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The first of the four chapters is an oppressively gray-toned, narratively diffuse spy thriller, set amid the mists of what appears to be the Second World War.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The second planet from the sun has a completely inhospitable surface, with temperatures reaching 863 degrees Fahrenheit (462 degrees Celsius) and a crushing pressure underneath an oppressively thick atmosphere.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Another appearance in print occurs in 1880, in the memoirs of a Canadian missionary called Sheldon Jackson—also a prominent founder of schools where Native children were forcibly assimilated.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
The story of Javier Chocobar, a member of the indigenous Chuchagasta community in northwest Argentina’s Tucumán Province, who in 2009 tried to defend himself and his people from being forcibly evicted from their land by a local landowner and two former police officers.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
Adverb
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Nearly a decade later, both actors are firmly in A-list territory, balancing blockbuster franchises, fashion partnerships, and increasingly global careers.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
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Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te thanked his counterpart and Paraguay's government for speaking out for Taiwan and firmly supporting Taiwan's international participation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Adverb
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Lane harrowingly captures the paralyzing fear of being ordinary, while Metcalf will overwhelm you with the sheer emotion of her performance as Willy’s fiercely loyal wife, Linda.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
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Lesch plays the savior’s anguished betrayer not as an intellectual equal who fiercely debates him and loses all patience with the movement.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Stiffly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffly. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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