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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The distinction is important because a felony arrest typically entails more rigid follow-up in court and a higher likelihood of jail detention, while a misdemeanor often ends with a citation and release on the spot.Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
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Krieps, playing Jill possessed by Elizabeth, gets slighter colder, more rigid, and more awkward.Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Avoid excessive iron supplementation: Taking iron supplements can lead to iron overload for people without an iron deficiency.Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
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What’s more, research also shows there's a sweet spot in AI politeness - excessive formality doesn't yield better results, but professional courtesy consistently does.Bernard Marr, Forbes, 5 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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That die-hard fan base in Phoenix got a taste of glory in 2021 when the Suns were up two games to none in the Finals on the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping the next four and ultimately losing the championship series.Max Olsan, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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Amid that delicate task, the central bank could fall under an uncomfortable political spotlight should Trump follow his previous pattern of publicly attacking Fed Chair Jerome Powell.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
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The fit of the Hi-X20 is comfortable and just firm enough to stay in place but not so tight as to feel uncomfortable.Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The melodic lines, particularly for brass, are very difficult to navigate.Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
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High frequencies are more difficult to block out than other tones, as high-end noise-cancelling headphones from Apple, Bose, and Sony perform similarly.PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 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 21 Nov. 2024.
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