1
2
as in guys
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 isolates
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 hustles
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 stiffs
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
After one of his clients stiffs him, Veneno runs into Muñeco (Osvaldo Sanchez), a trucker in his 40s who spends long weeks away from his estranged family, drinking and doing drugs to stay awake on the job.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffs
Noun
-
The character was loosely inspired by Ed Gein, a real serial killer and grave robber from Wisconsin who dug up corpses and used their bones and skin to make everything from clothing to furniture and even silverware.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
And the mass graves of corpses evicted from San Francisco cemeteries a century ago.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The house on Green Street belonged to the guys in a punk-metal crossover band called Meltdown.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
-
But while guys like Payton Tolle, Connelly Early and Hunter Dobbins were garnering headlines, one of Boston’s best young arms toiled largely out of public view.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With key figures like Governor KathyHochul and Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie already on board, Jeffries’ endorsement isolates remaining holdouts and underscores the growing influence of Democratic socialists in mainstream politics.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
By holding the form constant, Celmins isolates the matter.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While everyone else hustles about, the sloth knows that in slowness there is safety and success.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Linda hustles the two of them to a nearby motel whose only employees are a surly young goth attendant (a glowering Ivy Wolk) and a sympathetic, mildly flirty super (A$AP Rocky, laidback and breezy).—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Leap has an uncanny ability to find bones and carcasses anywhere and then parade them in front of her friends.—
Abigail Wise,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Do not even think of bringing home any carcasses.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Just over a week later, two men, Destry Jones, 20, and Damien Hinson, 18, were arrested in connection with the incident.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Recent research suggests that young men in low-income communities are particularly affected by financial consequences tied to sports gambling.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If Giolito rejects the offer and signs with another team, the Red Sox would receive a draft pick after the fourth round as compensation.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The business software maker on Wednesday unveiled an optimistic, multiyear financial roadmap that rejects the sluggish-growth narrative that has been dogging the stock.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The road cuts straight toward the sky.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
That sense of coming of age cuts other ways.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffs. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share