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
  • Like other senior bankers, Sehnaoui was harshly criticized following Lebanon's historic economic meltdown in 2019, when most people lost access to their money.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • He was fired, a little harshly, in May 2021 after one season, having delivered a Coppa Italia to go with a fourth-place finish.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of harshly
Adverb
  • Management tried to modernize a restaurant brand built around nostalgia, underestimated how strongly customers identified with its image, and eventually reversed the change after a fierce backlash.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Norwood firefighters union strongly applauded the legislative push, noting that the vote follows years of advocacy by community members who refused to let the issue fade away.
    — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of strongly
Adverb
  • Prioritizing economic return over the broader purpose of education could severely damage foundational academic fields and society itself.
    — Matthew Scogin, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • But thousands of public comments come from scientists, who warn that the rule, as written, would severely curtail their work treating pediatric cancers, improving maternal health and advancing fundamental research.
    — Lisa Song, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of severely
Adverb
  • Lederberg and other exobiologists sought funding and support for exobiological research and advocated vigorously for spacecraft sterilization.
    — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2026
  • Congressman Miller will continue to vigorously defend his reputation against false and reckless allegations designed to inflame public opinion rather than reflect reality.
    — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of vigorously
Adverb
  • Survey respondents said their dwellings stayed oppressively hot even at night because overcrowding and poor construction trapped the heat.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
  • Jackie searches for Madi, wondering if her sister is a victim or a killer while maneuvering an oppressively demanding office and reflecting on her own previous crimes.
    — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Definition of oppressively
Adverb
  • Many of those who had streamed into the capital after Wangchuk was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar in Delhi had endured long train journeys.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Dozens of Flock cameras have been forcibly disabled in recent weeks, with many people cheering on the vigilantes.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of forcibly
Adverb
  • Hafley even firmly stated his commitment to the run during his opening press conference.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • Azzuro said about 1,000 invasive species have been identified in the Mediterranean, with 800 of them firmly established.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of firmly
Adverb
  • Figures such as Assemblyman Carl DeMaio from San Diego County, an aggressive fiscal hawk who excels at dominating conservative media and raising grassroots funds, command a fiercely loyal base.
    — Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Best known for playing the flawed but fiercely loyal Fiona Gallagher on the Showtime dramedy Shameless, Rossum has always gravitated towards imperfect heroines.
    — Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of stiffly for Spanish Speakers

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