1
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
use a stiff piece of paper for the project
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2
as in tough
difficult to endure
stiff winds
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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?
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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
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5
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
felt stiff and ill-at-ease whenever she was introduced to her parents' friends
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6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
we'll have a stiff climb to actually reach the summit
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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
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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
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1
2
as in person
a member of the human race
one lucky stiff will get the biggest jackpot in the lottery's history
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1
as in to cut
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiff
Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2025
Al Pacino, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024
Yes, the central gimmick of this movie (which is clever) hinges on how the agents and assassins who do the real work are the working-class stiffs who aren't plucked from the Ivy League.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2024
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Yip says features and design elements, everything like a pocket placement to how a jacket may work with gloves—or even how smooth or stiff the zipper sliding action is—is all under consideration when designing.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
Competition was stiff with the exacting judges—including AllSaints founder Stuart Trevor, head of fashion at The Telegraph Lisa Armstrong, renowned fashion editor and creative director Catherine Hayward, Will Adams from Dunhill and Brigitte Steputis from Vivienne Westwood—having the final say.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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
Yes, the central gimmick of this movie (which is clever) hinges on how the agents and assassins who do the real work are the working-class stiffs who aren't plucked from the Ivy League.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2024
Verb
The Arctic air will blast across the the Midwest with subzero wind chill temperatures and stiff northwesterly winds, AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Yip says features and design elements, everything like a pocket placement to how a jacket may work with gloves—or even how smooth or stiff the zipper sliding action is—is all under consideration when designing.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
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Mirroring the intricate pattern of the pants, the shirt featured a short, boxy, oversize fit made of rigid cotton denim with a jacquard-weave pattern and a baggy, extra-loose silhouette.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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For entrepreneurs, this highlights the importance of broadening their outlook when faced with obstacles, as rigid thinking can lead to costly mistakes.—
Wilson Luna,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That’s likely a tough pill to swallow for Gomez, who typically launches her albums at No. 1.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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After some tough matchups in the Trader Joe’s Elite Sweets Tournament, one classic emerged as the champion.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But for others, anxiety is an ongoing disorder that causes excessive worry, and isn't just prompted by stressful situations.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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Avoid constipation as excessive straining can weaken the pelvic floor.—
Violeta Valdés,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The five-year commemoration of that day is particularly hard for Jennifer, who usually shies away from talking publicly about her loss.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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After an Emanuel Sharp 3 made Duke officially uncomfortable (67-64, 33 seconds left), Tugler was one of three Houston players to tip a regrettable inbounds pass from James, setting off a frenzied sequence.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
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In addition to subjecting them to electric shocks for interrogations, guards would force prisoners to stand in uncomfortable positions and then hit them in the genitals or knock them to the ground, according to Shyshko.—
Patrick Reevell,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Third, operational command of Kamikaze planes is difficult because results cannot be evaluated with any accuracy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Instead, the major drama comes in the form of Ivy’s corruption by her acting coach, as Ivy gradually goes method and becomes as difficult to work with as Marilyn was (one of this musical’s many meta moments).—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The family posed for Christmas photos in matching red formal wear and themed elf onesies in 2023, when Alcala was pregnant with Alianna.—
Nasha Smith,
People.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Both sides have submitted arguments to the organization and will await a decision on whether there will be a formal investigation.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Stephen O’Connell, a 38-year-old Boston police officer, is accused of driving drunk when his vehicle slammed into an unmarked Boston police cruiser just after 12 a.m. April 1 on a road in Weymouth, Massachusetts State Police said in an April 2 news release shared with McClatchy News.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
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Prosecutors said Beltram, after his second DUI conviction, participated in a Mothers Against Drunk Driving class and signed an additional advisement warning him of a potential murder charge for driving drunk and causing someone’s death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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