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
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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
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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiff
Marie Lodi, Allure, 5 July 2025
Ingredients that remain on your hair or scalp often lead to dry or stiff hair, gritty particles, and shedding.1
Contact dermatitis causes inflamed, itchy, and irritated skin.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 3 July 2025
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Failing to comply can lead to stiff fines (up to 4% of a company’s turnover) and disrupt market access.
—Florent Bouguin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Focusing mostly on the commercial fishing boat Andrea Gail and its doomed crew of working-class stiffs (including pre-megastardom George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, not to mention John Hawkes and John C. Reilly), the film is a clinic in stomach-gnawing tension.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
The buildable formula never feels stiff or crunchy, and the tiny brush makes precise application effortless.
—Marie Lodi, Allure, 5 July 2025
Ingredients that remain on your hair or scalp often lead to dry or stiff hair, gritty particles, and shedding.1
Contact dermatitis causes inflamed, itchy, and irritated skin.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 3 July 2025
Verb
The past two comparable moves in this small-investor proxy, in November 2022 and March 2022, led to stiff near-term declines in the basket within weeks.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
Failing to comply can lead to stiff fines (up to 4% of a company’s turnover) and disrupt market access.
—Florent Bouguin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
Even while stunt workers are getting more recognition, there are still those in the industry who see them merely as working stiffs.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Focusing mostly on the commercial fishing boat Andrea Gail and its doomed crew of working-class stiffs (including pre-megastardom George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, not to mention John Hawkes and John C. Reilly), the film is a clinic in stomach-gnawing tension.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
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Set within a military institution, the film continues his exploration of gender and power, aiming to expose and humanize rigid, oppressive systems through personal and emotional storytelling.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
15 July 2025
-
Zara hadn’t become rigid overnight—her views on competence, control and value had been reinforced over decades.—
Diana Lowe,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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The tough part is deciding between a leather sofa or a plush number made with performance fabric.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
9 July 2025
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But after rookie third baseman Ronny Mauricio made an exceptionally tough double play to end a two-on, one-out threat in the bottom of the eighth, there was no way the Mets were losing.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Protecting Financial Privacy: The Act ensures that digital financial systems do not compromise individual freedoms or privacy due to excessive government oversight. — Yahoo! Finance and Investopedia contributed to this report.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
14 July 2025
-
The weather service predicts that parts of Maryland remain at risk for excessive rainfall and the potential for flash floods.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
14 July 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
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For extra reliability, choose a suitcase with a hard shell crafted from either polycarbonate or aluminum.—
Austa Somvichian-Clausen,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
But a slightly uncomfortable conversation is better than resentment.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
-
Looking cute doesn’t have to mean feeling uncomfortable.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Speaking with director Joe Johnston, Oka explained the two most difficult things to simulate digitally at the time were human skin and water.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
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They are often considered the most beautiful irises but can be difficult to grow.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Mamdani has secured endorsements from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, but lacks formal support from Hochul and two other prominent New York lawmakers, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
Performers dressed as formal library pages in white shirts and black ties emerged from the periphery to dance along.—
Brian Schaefer
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
But even just bringing up the incident is enough to send a very drunk Lisa off the deep end.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
3 July 2025
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He was arrested twice for driving drunk, in 2012 and 2019.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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