stiffen

verb

stiff·​en ˈsti-fən 

stiffened; stiffening ˈsti-fə-niŋ 

ˈstif-niŋ

transitive verb

: to make stiff or stiffer

intransitive verb

: to become stiff or stiffer

stiffener

ˈsti-fə-nər 

ˈstif-nər

noun

Synonyms

• harden
• harshen
• strengthen
• toughen

Examples of stiffen in a Sentence

She stiffened when he grabbed her shoulder.

The dogs stiffened in alarm.

The law would stiffen penalties for tax evasion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Certainly, the competition level stiffened recently with Indiana and Ohio State handing the Cornhuskers losses in their two most recent games. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Once the lens stiffens, it cannot be made more supple again. —Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2024

Users could keep a wrist or elbow brace soft for maximum freedom of movement most of the time, for example, then stiffen it for support when lifting heavy objects. —New Atlas, 23 July 2024

According to its authors, the prospective law aims to amend existing statute by undoing the $950 threshold for theft to be charged as a felony and stiffening punishments for drug dealing that has fueled the fentanyl and opioid crises. —Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

stiffen

verb

stiff·​en ˈstif-ən 

stiffened; stiffening -(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become stiff or stiffer

stiffener

-(ə-)nər 

noun