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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiff
Jennifer Weil, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024
The competition to wow collectors has become so stiff that, for some, hiring internally no longer suffices.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
Paolo Confino, Fortune, 12 May 2024
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, 20 Oct. 2023
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2024
Owning versus renting Owning a unit can cost less each month than renting, but stiff down payments make ownership impossible for most, says Nishant Sondhi, a real estate agent and fund manager who raises money for developments in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
—Hillary Chura, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stiff 
Adjective
Instead, model Colin Jones came out in a stunning black column dress, her face screened behind a panel of stiff pleated tulle.
—Jennifer Weil, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024
The competition to wow collectors has become so stiff that, for some, hiring internally no longer suffices.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
Being a working stiff can be anathema to those with the founder gene, who find the uncertainty of entrepreneurship equal parts freeing and exhilarating.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 12 May 2024
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, 20 Oct. 2023
Verb
While sage grown as an annual usually won't turn woody, sages are semi-woody shrubs and will start to thicken and get woody and stiff over the years.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2024
Owning versus renting Owning a unit can cost less each month than renting, but stiff down payments make ownership impossible for most, says Nishant Sondhi, a real estate agent and fund manager who raises money for developments in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
—Hillary Chura, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
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Eventually, Collette’s rigid, defensive stare gives way to belief while Hoult’s cherubic face hides a weak, secretive nature.Armond White, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024
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While the Biden administration has made some progress on cybersecurity—establishing a national cybersecurity strategy that includes some reasonable provisions—its overall approach to AI safety through top-down bureaucratic rules remains too rigid.James Broughel, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The Buffs need to find a way to grind out tough yards on the ground, especially late.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
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Bosa confirmed Wednesday that playing through a hip injury last game was the toughest pain he’s endured in 5 1/2 seasons.Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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For many years, it was renowned for being a major party destination, known for excessive drinking, the easy availability of drugs and river tubing linked to a string of fatalities.Isaac Yee, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
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While never approaching the emotional impact of the Russell Crowe-led original epic, Scott brings the busy sequel (sharks and even an irritable rhino gets thrown in the mix) to gory, excessive CGI heights.Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
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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Die-hard Chiefs fan Paul Rudd was on the field before the game, sporting a big smile and a team jersey.Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Swimmer’s ear can be pretty uncomfortable: your ear canal fills up with a sticky discharge and may become smelly and painful, explains Hildrew.Julia Ries, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024
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Ashley Johnson, special agent in charge of the FBI St. Louis Division, told people not to hesitate to report uncomfortable encounters with officers.Austin Mullen, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Antiaircraft fire kept the bombers so high, however, that aim was difficult to manage, and the bombs fell indiscriminately, destroying more than 4,300 homes while damaging three-quarters of the city's factories.Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
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Lack of work-life balance can make stressful job environments even more difficult to manage.Erik Pham, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The company identified a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting due to a lack of segregation of duties and formal documentation.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
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But if this had been a formal dinner, the coffee would have been served afterwards — and in china, not a witty mug.Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Both aim to improve handling, not that the MX-5 handled like a drunk camel in the first place.Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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But despite anecdotal reports of non-human animals appearing drunk after consuming ripe fruit or sugary substances, there's been very little research into its actual prevalence in the broader kingdom of life.New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near stiff
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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