1
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
use a stiff piece of paper for the project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
difficult to endure
stiff winds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
felt stiff and ill-at-ease whenever she was introduced to her parents' friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
we'll have a stiff climb to actually reach the summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in person
a member of the human race
one lucky stiff will get the biggest jackpot in the lottery's history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cut
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
In most cases, a traditional spring mattress will be too stiff and cause back pain.
—Molly Higgins, WIRED, 17 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
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 July 2024
The 100 percent carbon shaft of the Storm 2 is strong enough to withstand freakish plants that would normally end in snapping, light enough (at 75 grams per meter) to prevent fatigue after repetitive motion, and stiff enough to propel us forward.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
There are many ways to prevent both sore throat and stiff neck.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
In most cases, a traditional spring mattress will be too stiff and cause back pain.
—Molly Higgins, WIRED, 17 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 dialogue was ham-handed, the performances stiff, the villain lame, the story stupid.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 July 2024
The 100 percent carbon shaft of the Storm 2 is strong enough to withstand freakish plants that would normally end in snapping, light enough (at 75 grams per meter) to prevent fatigue after repetitive motion, and stiff enough to propel us forward.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
-
The work might have rigid scales for evaluating one’s depression symptoms, but its framework can be applied flexibly.—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Plant it in containers or beds with rigid borders, and check frequently for any escapees.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This likely helped maintain its brand trust during tough times. 8.—
Paul Klein,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
As long as Flagg is on the floor, the Blue Devils will be a tough out.—
Tobias Bass,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Hurlburt said excessive rainfall in 2023 resulted in an excessive number of closures along parts of the shoreline.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2025
-
While many in the Vatican have held up St. John Paul II’s long and public battle with Parkinson’s disease and other ailments as a humble sign of his willingness to show his frailties, others criticized it as excessive and glorifying sickness.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 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
-
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
-
Say something that might make some people uncomfortable but will deeply resonate with your ideal clients.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
And tariffs could have a perverse and uncomfortable upside, Caitlin Daniel, a researcher at Harvard, told me.—
Rachel Sugar,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As college sports continues its rapid professionalization, the ACC is in a difficult spot.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Her resiliency is reflected in her students, who do not shy from a difficult story.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That prompted them to seek a formal psychiatric assessment and diagnosis.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
-
In addition to the formal head of the White House's Department of Government Efficiency team, Amy Gleason, several other members of DOGE are HHS employees.—
Alexander Tin,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
His drunk mother-in-law, Nan (Jane Curtin), takes too long to share too much insignificant information.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The bus stop is where a drunk man gave me his jacket in the rain.—
Empress Rasheem,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share