stiffened 1 of 2

stiffened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of stiffen
as in strengthened
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe plans to further stiffen the already onerous requirements for admission to the elite military unit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 stiffened
Verb
Lane picked up three on first down, but the Otay Ranch defense stiffened, turning back the next two runs for no gain. Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 In addition to adjustable dampers, the Lyriq-V boasts a lowered suspension with components stiffened 10% to 600% from the base Lyriq, which was already a sporty and responsive SUV. Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffened
Adjective
  • The company is facing stiff opposition from dozens of California nonprofits, labor unions, and philanthropies as well as investigations from both the California and Delaware attorney generals.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
  • With the competition stiffer than ever, 26 people dropped off The Forbes 400 this year, including the cofounder and former CEO of Uber Travis Kalanick and wellness products billionaire Frank VanderSloot, both of whom saw their fortunes hold steady while others passed them by.
    Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The past month has renewed conversations about home rule, which many Democrats believe should be strengthened.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
  • These examples show that more protections need to be established and strengthened, advocates say.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The paper identifies further causes of the continent’s growth problem as the EU’s relatively high energy prices, rigid employment regulations, and a general lack of corporate dynamism and entrepreneurship.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Instead, a single rigid substrate integrates everything in one strong, precise piece.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And when the second half started, Gay couldn’t turn a solid Commanders drive into three more points, banging the ball off the right goal post.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The company's portfolio includes solid rocket motors (SRMs) ranging from 2 inches to 22 inches in diameter for missiles like the Stinger, Javelin, and air-defense interceptors.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stiffened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffened. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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