1
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
use a stiff piece of paper for the project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
difficult to endure
stiff winds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
don't you think that's a pretty stiff fine for such a minor infraction?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in hard
having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure
stir two cups of flour with the remaining ingredients to make a stiff dough
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
felt stiff and ill-at-ease whenever she was introduced to her parents' friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
we'll have a stiff climb to actually reach the summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
the stiff politeness with which I was greeted suggested that they weren't truly happy to see me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in drunk
being under the influence of alcohol
seeing that the customer was more than a little stiff, the bartender offered to call a cab for him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in person
a member of the human race
one lucky stiff will get the biggest jackpot in the lottery's history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cut
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to squeeze
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
customers who were too embarrassed to admit that they had been stiffed by an Internet company claiming to sell designer handbags
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of stiff
Tom Philp, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
If the mattress feels a little stiff at first, Davies recommends giving it some time.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025
Huntley Woods, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Cookie returned to his post at the bar, where seven or eight working stiffs were lined up, and the two women stood in front of that big, wide window in broad daylight and began passionately kissing.
—Al Pacino, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
But the administration's efforts to abolish federal agencies authorized by Congress are likely to meet the same fate as their attempts to stiff USAID contractors.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
No drug user can face a stiffer sentence if treatment isn’t an alternative.
—Tom Philp, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
If the mattress feels a little stiff at first, Davies recommends giving it some time.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025
Noun
The Thing is one of those rare sci-fi horrors that stands the test of time due to its suspenseful pacing and its groundbreaking practical effects by Rob Bottin, leaving you both frozen and scared stiff.
—Huntley Woods, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Cookie returned to his post at the bar, where seven or eight working stiffs were lined up, and the two women stood in front of that big, wide window in broad daylight and began passionately kissing.
—Al Pacino, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Verb
Felt is warm, easily dyed and stiff enough to hold a cone shape.
—Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
But the administration's efforts to abolish federal agencies authorized by Congress are likely to meet the same fate as their attempts to stiff USAID contractors.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
-
For boys, this issue is compounded by rigid ideas about masculinity that discourage emotional and physical closeness.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
29 May 2025
-
Mature systems progress from rigid, bespoke solutions to agile solutions that evolve with business needs.—
Kyle Campos,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Dapple Baby takes this task very seriously, offering a fragrance-free formula that’s tough on stains yet gentle on newborn skin.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
22 May 2025
-
Buy Now: Flashlight on Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, V. E. Schwab (June 10) V. E. Schwab’s sapphic vampire romance begins in 16th century Spain with Maria, a tough young bride, looking to escape her wealthy husband.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Botox effectively treats hyperhidrosis by blocking the nerve signals responsible for excessive sweating.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2025
-
Alcohol and excessive speed were suspected of being involved in the crash, and charges are pending, but not expected to be filed for several weeks.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
-
That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series.—
Max Olsan,
The Arizona Republic,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
The film is also an introspective interrogation of Cruise's stardom, confronting its main character with uncomfortable realities: his world is artificial, insulated, and fleeting, and his multimillion-dollar good looks could disappear in an instant.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
-
But after a smattering of deeply uncomfortable and boundary-crossing hangs, Austin decides to sever ties with Craig, who slowly loses his mind trying to win back his erstwhile buddy.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
But the fact that Schwartzman, in his first film, was given the difficult task of stealing laughs away from a comedy legend, and so often succeeds in doing so, gives him the slight edge.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
30 May 2025
-
These connections are difficult to make from within, but consultants are trained to see across boundaries.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
This installation for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Cantor Roof Garden comprises four sculptural elements that explore the sonic and formal potential of simple stringed instruments.—
Caitlin Woolsey,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
The city is still preparing its formal response to the findings.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Wah’s grandfather told officers that Wah had drunk alcohol earlier that morning at the apartment.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
16 May 2025
-
Read faces charges of second-degree murder, drunk driving manslaughter and fleeing a deadly accident in O'Keefe's death.—
Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share