STIFFLY Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

stiffly

adverb

Definition of stiffly

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

as in strongly

in a vigorous and forceful manner a stiffly fought battle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffly

Adverb

An otherwise magical season for the New England Patriots ended rather harshly in Super Bowl LX.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Yet others — particularly those who identify as Jews through ethnic, cultural or family ties, rather than religion — feel less connected to Israel and judge its actions in the ongoing conflict more harshly.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of harshly

Adverb

Israeli defense officials warned Sunday that the country will hit back strongly if Iran attacks Israel.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
And because local equity markets performed so strongly, Israeli investors shifted long‑term investments back into shekel‑denominated assets, strengthening the currency.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Definition of strongly

Adverb

The person who died was taken to the shore severely injured and, despite CPR being administered, was pronounced dead, officials said.

— Tristan Maglunog, ABC News, 15 July 2026
When rescuers first met her, Rockalina’s eyes were sealed shut, her nails were severely overgrown, and cat hair had become tightly wrapped around one of her legs.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Definition of severely

Adverb

The oppressively hot and steamy weather was no deterrent for the crowds that lined up along Crandon Boulevard on Saturday to celebrate America’s independence at Key Biscayne’s 67th Fourth of July parade.

— Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Fortunately, this spell of hot temps will be a generally drier heat — not necessarily oppressively humid like is typical for New England.

— Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026

Definition of oppressively

Adverb

Police forcibly transferred a prominent activist to a hospital in New Delhi on Saturday after his health deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike tied to India’s Cockroach Janata Party movement for education reform.

— Aijaz Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
The initial complaint, filed on the day he was apprehended, alleged Hurtado-Cariaco forcibly resisted arrest, according to a pre-sentencing court filing by McWilliams.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of forcibly

Adverb

And while reusing first-stage rocket boosters (like the Super Heavy) is firmly within SpaceX’s wheelshouse, the company has never reused the upper stage of a rocket.

— Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Norway’s elite 6-foot-5 goal scorer raced with some of the best in the battle for the Golden Boot in the tournament, given to the player with the most goals, and his performance in DFW put his name firmly on the world stage.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of firmly

Adverb

Jason was hissing fiercely; Gordon, who projects a monastic calm, was trying to reason with the mother while batting her back each time the flap swung open.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Beijing has so far avoided that framing, and is contending fiercely with Washington across the board.

— Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

Definition of fiercely

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Browse Nearby Words

stiffing

stiffly

stiff-necked

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“Stiffly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffly. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of stiffly

adverb

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