1
as in rigid
incapable of or highly resistant to bending
use a stiff piece of paper for the project
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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
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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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stiff
Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Despite the stiff cost of the war, Democratic Party support in the United States unwavering, but frustrations grew among some Republicans.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2025
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2024
Some clients are scared stiff of Trump coming into power, and some [are scared] of the Biden administration.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 July 2024
Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
The former makes the boot light, precise, and stiff enough to transfer energy from ski to ski.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
With the backing of police and firefighter groups, some lawmakers have proposed tough-on-crime legislation that would treat burglaries in emergency areas as felony offenses, with potentially stiffer penalties.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Despite the stiff cost of the war, Democratic Party support in the United States unwavering, but frustrations grew among some Republicans.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
Yes, the central gimmick of this movie (which is clever) hinges on how the agents and assassins who do the real work are the working-class stiffs who aren't plucked from the Ivy League.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2024
Some clients are scared stiff of Trump coming into power, and some [are scared] of the Biden administration.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 July 2024
Verb
The 100 percent carbon shaft of the Storm 2 is strong enough to withstand freakish plants that would normally end in snapping, light enough (at 75 grams per meter) to prevent fatigue after repetitive motion, and stiff enough to propel us forward.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
The former makes the boot light, precise, and stiff enough to transfer energy from ski to ski.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside Online, 10 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
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Following the successful Maidan Revolution, one way Ukrainian chefs and customers expressed themselves was freeing their palates of rigid culinary bonds.—
Tim Mak,
Bon Appétit,
6 Mar. 2025
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This creates a culture where continuous learning—not rigid certainty—becomes the norm.—
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Ties during Trump’s first term One of the hallmarks of the first Trump Administration was a tougher stance towards China compared to his predecessors, through tit-for-tat tariffs and an Indo-Pacific strategy that aimed to curb Beijing’s growing influence in the Western Pacific.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
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How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The day before Tanna Rae died, the U.S. National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for all of Arizona, coinciding with temperatures rising past 110 degrees.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
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There lies the problem: the intention to customize is honorable, but the execution—excessive repetition—like the extra spaces in Mail Merge, backfires.—
Jerry Weissman,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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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The five-year commemoration of that day is particularly hard for Jennifer, who usually shies away from talking publicly about her loss.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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The traditional process of quitting a job has always been a personal, often uncomfortable experience.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Throughout the exchange, Zelensky became visibly uncomfortable and upset.—
Lauren Floyd,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Stars of Durant’s stature can be notoriously difficult to pin down for interviews.—
Darnell Mayberry,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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But breaking with Russian gas has been difficult for Austria, which until recently was one of a handful of European countries to keep importing the fuel by pipeline.—
Stanley Reed,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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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In October 2023, Cook was charged with cruelty to children after allegedly picking up Jolly’s 4-year-old twins while drunk.—
Laura Barcella,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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Christian Velasquez-Galeano, 28, was driving drunk around 4:45 a.m. Sunday in Garden City, Nassau County, police said in a press release.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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