1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude
he was too stiff-necked to admit that "underlings" might have useful ideas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
her dinner parties are typically stiff-necked affairs, more to be endured than enjoyed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
obviously uninterested in hearing any excuses, the stiff-necked officer handed me my speeding ticket with a flourish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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-necked
But some Jews stubbornly refused to assimilate and continued the sometimes strange and stiff-necked traditions of our people.
—
TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff-necked
Adjective
-
Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.—
Darren Franich,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
All were displayed in an austere room designed for examining art works—an oddly formal space for an encounter with one’s past.—
Bruce Handy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This easygoing aesthetic introduces itself in the living room, which doubles as the home’s entry since there’s no formal foyer.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite growing consternation and concern expressed by economists and CEOs, Trump administration officials have been stubborn in defending its trade policies.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Ocasio-Cortez might have a good shot at cracking that stubborn nut.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Measure your gizmo with the case on to get a sense of correct sizing, and look for a crossbody phone bag that matches the criteria (usually found in the product’s online description).—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Paul has been adamant that the tariffs won’t help the U.S. His frustration with the tariffs came as seven GOP senators signed on to a bipartisan bill that sought to have Congressional oversight over the president’s tariffs.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The 12-time Emmy award-winner was also adamant about sharing her cancer journey with her audience—hoping that her experience might offer support and guidance to others facing similar challenges.—
Joanne Fowler,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
After tariffs were unveiled earlier this month, the market went into a steep sell-off until Trump issued a 90-day pause on the stiff rates for most countries.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2025
-
While a soufflé typically starts by separating egg whites from the yolks and beating the whites until stiff, this recipe skips this step—giving the dish a more casserole-like characteristic with a still-fluffy result.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a place downtown called Soul Classics that’s really nice, like street-wear stuff.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Not easy to do, but nice to come through tonight.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In a solemn message, Dominican President Luis Abinader addressed the nation’s grief.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
In Ireland, however, St. Patrick’s Day remained a solemn day of observance with little revelry.—
Bryan McGovern,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff-necked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-necked. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share