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
Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 July 2025
Although nineteenth-century photography might be commonly associated with a somber, monochrome world of stiff portraits and slightly dull landscapes, the decades after photography’s introduction in 1839 were also a time of bold innovation.
—Anika Burgess
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 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 competition is getting stiffer for Teagan O’Dell, and that’s fine by her.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 July 2025
Although nineteenth-century photography might be commonly associated with a somber, monochrome world of stiff portraits and slightly dull landscapes, the decades after photography’s introduction in 1839 were also a time of bold innovation.
—Anika Burgess
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 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
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
The tougher policy changes are adding to the minors’ trauma, advocates say.—
Nicol León,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
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In this deep perennial border, Jordin layered tough perennials that deliver a profusion of color in the height of summer, including catmint, 'Millenium' allium, 'Cinderella' milkweed, and clary sage. 2.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Early signs include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy and weakness.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
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
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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
-
Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
But the odd tone of their recent fight when Miranda comments on Carrie’s flirtation with her writer neighbor Duncan (Jonathan Cake) is uncomfortable.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
23 July 2025
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For marketers, this is both exciting and uncomfortable.—
Francesca Pezzoli,
Forbes.com,
23 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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Try asking the same question in different ways: formal versus casual, with different cultural references, or from different perspectives.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
The Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter and will have additional details to share very shortly.—
Christopher Kuhagen,
jsonline.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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For years across social media, fans have been convinced that the cast of Mamma Mia! were drunk on set due to ouzo, a Greek aperitif.—
Francesca Gariano,
People.com,
19 July 2025
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The crash occurred about 2½ years after Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III drove drunk at speeds up to 156 mph on a Las Vegas street and caused a fiery collision that killed a woman and her dog on Nov. 2, 2021.—
Cristian Santana,
NBC news,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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