stiffen

verb

stiff·​en ˈsti-fən How to pronounce stiffen (audio)
stiffened; stiffening ˈsti-fə-niŋ How to pronounce stiffen (audio)
ˈstif-niŋ
Synonyms of stiffennext

transitive verb

: to make stiff or stiffer

intransitive verb

: to become stiff or stiffer
stiffener
ˈsti-fə-nər How to pronounce stiffen (audio)
ˈstif-nər
noun

Synonyms

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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
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.
After a second quarter defensive letdown, the Heat stiffened against a team that leads the league in points per 100 possessions, at 122.4. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025 Exercise Too much sitting can cause muscles to stiffen, and moving around more can help ease aches and pains. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 24 Feb. 2025 Competition is stiffening in the market for payments systems to small- and medium-sized businesses. — Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025 The unit played poorly on the road at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills over the last month but has stiffened the last two weeks. — Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for stiffen

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of stiffen was in the 15th century

Rhymes for stiffen

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Browse Nearby Words

stiffen
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Cite this Entry

“Stiffen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stiffen. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

stiffen

verb
stiff·​en ˈstif-ən How to pronounce stiffen (audio)
stiffened; stiffening -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce stiffen (audio)
: to make or become stiff or stiffer
stiffener
-(ə-)nər How to pronounce stiffen (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on stiffen

Nglish: Translation of stiffen for Spanish Speakers

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