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
-
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
-
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
-
Overuse of ice melt products can severely stress and kill pachysandra growing along the side of a walk.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
Online adult platforms are being severely restricted these days as new laws banning materials involving adults pretending to be under 18 are put into place.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 May 2026
Adverb
-
While the pita bakes, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine ¾ cup unsalted butter and ¾ cup (packed) brown sugar and cook until the sugar melts and bubbles vigorously.—
Ham El-Waylly,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Tribune Editorial Board vigorously opposed it, going to its fallback position that the state must first cut spending.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
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
-
That’s also drumming up the perception that the Fed is leaning toward lowering rates, which the three Fed presidents who dissented are firmly against.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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The district, which spans parts of San Diego and Riverside counties, had long been considered firmly Republican territory.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 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
-
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 6 May. 2026.
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