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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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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
-
Mature systems progress from rigid, bespoke solutions to agile solutions that evolve with business needs.—
Kyle Campos,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
For boys, this issue is compounded by rigid ideas about masculinity that discourage emotional and physical closeness.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
There are powerful levers to pull if Trump chooses, like increasing US military aid or imposing tough new sanctions, such as those overwhelmingly supported in the US Senate.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
-
Every day, Russia gives new reasons for tougher sanctions and stronger support for our defense.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Manson warns, however, that excessive amounts of vitamin D can lead to a higher calcium level in blood and urine, and some calcification may occur in the blood vessels and in the soft tissue.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
27 May 2025
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The excessive heat watch will be in effect from 11 a.m. Friday, May 30, through 11 p.m. Saturday, May 31, according to the National Weather Service.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
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
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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
-
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
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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
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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
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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
-
Square limestone columns with a wavy, striated design stand between the formal living and dining areas.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
1 June 2025
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More impressive millwork defines the passageways to the formal dining and living rooms.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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The injured man told them his wife had fired around 10 shots at him while drunk, Mansfield police said in a news release Friday.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2025
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There was a stronger dislike of issues such as getting drunk on a flight or letting children play in the aisle, with 82 and 86 percent disapproval ratings respectively.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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