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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
  • Trump harshly criticized Warsh's predecessor, Jerome Powell, for not cutting rates quickly enough.
    — DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli, who plays for Morocco, was harshly criticized by some Moroccan fans on social media when images of him wearing the shirt in support of Ceuta began to circulate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of harshly
Adverb
  • Much of the general public, however, hasn’t caught up to these developments, which remain strongly discouraged and criticized by the abstinence support group space — especially proponents of AA.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The afflicted can feel very strongly about them, strongly believe them, even though there is no convincing reason for holding that thought.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of strongly
Adverb
  • After months of suspension because of fighting, UNIFIL has resumed some of its non-military activities, providing basic medical assistance in areas where access remains severely restricted.
    — Diego Ibarra Sánchez, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Last week, McClatchy newsrooms were cut severely, leaving fewer journalists than ever to cover the fast-growing hubs of the Central Valley.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 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
  • The incident Sunday involved the top fashion executive forcibly restraining two employees of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and putting his hands over their mouths at the runway show for Cos, a brand owned by H&M.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The plaintiffs alleged that some of those classified as especiales were taken to military facilities, interrogated, tortured, killed or forcibly disappeared.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of forcibly
Adverb
  • Variety takes a look at how 10 companies are taming the AI beast with specific use cases that creatives can get behind in a way that keeps them firmly in control and respects copyrights.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Throughout DeSantis’ time in office, Florida itself has changed, shifting from a competitive battleground state to one that is now firmly Republican.
    — Zoe Millán, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of firmly
Adverb
  • By the end of the 2020s, Combs will set foot back inside his palatial $48 million Miami waterfront home, warmly welcomed into the arms of those who have remained fiercely loyal to him.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But over the years, Bird of the Year has also become known for its fiercely competitive campaigns, tongue-in-cheek rivalries and occasional controversy.
    — Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stiffly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffly. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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