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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
-
In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Having a formal parenting plan in place is a good idea for multiple reasons.—
Jann Blackstone,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
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Foster Supplier Collaboration: Use formal, electronic systems to share forecasts and capacity updates with suppliers.—
Gregory Pitstick,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Still facing a stubborn staffing crunch, the New York City Department of Correction will require officers to work mandatory 12-hour tours in a number of city jails, a move immediately criticized by their union.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2025
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The financial outlook from nation’s largest retailer, which has thrived amid stubborn inflation, delivered a jolt across the retail sector.—
Anne D’Innocenzio,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
If polling is correct, the tiny Die Linke party, on the far left, seems likely to make it.—
Christopher F. Schuetze,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Ferguson’s instincts were correct, for the first hour at least.—
Mark Critchley,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But both brown and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson – a marine biologist and policy expert – are adamant that modeling climate activism in popular culture need not be all about just ringing warning bells.—
Dan Heching,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
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Hamilton was adamant Ferrari had all the ingredients to win the world championship for the first time since 2008.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And farmers who voted for Trump, who are now being stiff (ph).—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Then, clean the area with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) or a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) and a stiff brush.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Devonte Ross, who surpassed 1,000 yards at Troy in 2024, and Kyron Hudson, who had some nice moments at USC but was never one of the top receivers on the team in four seasons.—
Antonio Morales,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
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In the Jungfrau Ski Region skiers get the perfect mix of easy and challenging slopes, nice mountain hut restaurants and aprés ski on the downhill runs and in Grindelwald Terminal.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed images of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, during an address at a combat officers' graduation ceremony on Sunday, delivering a solemn message.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
23 Feb. 2025
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Language experts were consulted, solemn arguments had, brows were furrowed, everyone treated the whole thing awfully seriously.—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to stiff-necked
Cite this Entry
“Stiff-necked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-necked. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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