as in to strengthen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
plans to further stiffen the already onerous requirements for admission to the elite military unit
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Recent Examples of stiffen
The war has still fostered greater patriotism among Ukrainians, stiffened their resolve to fight for their freedom, and deepened their desire to escape Russia’s orbit and become a secure and prosperous country within the EU.
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Anton Grushetskyi, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
Those stocks suffered in recent months as the Biden administration moved to restrict payments, stiffening rules that limit reimbursement.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Opie Way is one of many small bright lights in the American luxury landscape, and James’s deep commitment to producing the exceptional is the mark of a true artisan—and the stuff that stiffens the spine of the entire industry.
—Josh Condon, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2024
California voters this election overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, a tough-on-crime measure that stiffened penalties for some drug and theft crimes.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stiffen 
Anton Grushetskyi, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
Those stocks suffered in recent months as the Biden administration moved to restrict payments, stiffening rules that limit reimbursement.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024
Opie Way is one of many small bright lights in the American luxury landscape, and James’s deep commitment to producing the exceptional is the mark of a true artisan—and the stuff that stiffens the spine of the entire industry.
—Josh Condon, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2024
California voters this election overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, a tough-on-crime measure that stiffened penalties for some drug and theft crimes.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stiffen
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Cite this Entry
“Stiffen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffen. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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