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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Speaking harshly about migrants has been seen as a potential gateway to the hatred that led to the Holocaust.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026
Yust also alleges prosecutorial misconduct, arguing that a prosecutor improperly urged jurors to sentence him more harshly because of the emotional impact of the trial on them.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of harshly

Adverb

The consequences of the economic crisis, migration, unemployment and diminishing access to education can sometimes be felt even more severely in smaller towns than in major cities.

— Roberto Prieto, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
Homes from south Orange County to Malibu were flooded and severely damaged.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of severely

Adverb

Replant the area with vigorously growing groundcovers or turfgrass because any spot of bare soil is an opportunity for stiltgrass to resprout.

— Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 9 Sep. 2026
Cook, stirring vigorously and breaking up pockets of flour as needed, until a thin film forms on bottom and sides of pan and dough comes together into a single mass, 2–3 minutes.

— Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 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

Fu urged Taiwan’s government to protect Wang’s family and ensure they would not be forcibly returned to mainland China.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The other option for the United States is a land invasion aimed at forcibly ousting the Iranian regime.

— JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of forcibly

Adverb

Susan and Robert are finally together, or at least moving firmly in that direction.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
The phone is made from the same high-quality materials as its Pro iPhones—titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, and Apple's Ceramic Shield—and assembled as tightly and firmly as anything Apple makes.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of firmly

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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stiffly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffly. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stiffly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

watershed

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes