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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in uncomfortable
lacking social grace and assurance
felt stiff and ill-at-ease whenever she was introduced to her parents' friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
we'll have a stiff climb to actually reach the summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to cut
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely
the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
1
2
as in person
a member of the human race
one lucky stiff will get the biggest jackpot in the lottery's history
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 stiff
Bria McNeal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2026
Unauthorized operators are subject to stiff fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time, the FAA said.
—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
When your sugar mixture reaches 230°F, begin beating your egg whites to firm peak stage; egg whites will hold their shape but not quite to stiff peak stage.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
20 Mar. 2026
Trixies is a song cycle centering on a mythical bar and its working class stiffs and gangsters that’s one-part Cheers, the other The Untouchables.
—
Jason Pettigrew,
SPIN,
9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Adjective
The Bella Stretch Vintage Shorts are made with organic cotton, lyocell, and spandex to prevent that stiff, itchy feeling of traditional denim.
—
Bria McNeal,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2026
Unauthorized operators are subject to stiff fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time, the FAA said.
—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Verb
Say goodbye to stiff towels with these tips for how to make towels soft again.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
When your sugar mixture reaches 230°F, begin beating your egg whites to firm peak stage; egg whites will hold their shape but not quite to stiff peak stage.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
The bar remains a point of pride, originally a place where patrons made their own drinks and now a place where bartenders mix the stiff, old‑school cocktails.
—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
20 Mar. 2026
Trixies is a song cycle centering on a mythical bar and its working class stiffs and gangsters that’s one-part Cheers, the other The Untouchables.
—
Jason Pettigrew,
SPIN,
9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff
Adjective
-
Instead of forcing business owners to constantly upload mountains of paper invoices or rigid bank statements, Magellan monitors the real-time transactions flowing directly through its platform.
-
The trust could provide financial support for a broad group of beneficiaries defined by you, rather than by rigid family-tree relationships.
Adjective
-
MacDonald agrees that some of Kiros' positions could put Democratic candidates in a tough spot.
-
The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.
Adjective
-
Although not always the case, excessive heat warnings usually coincide with heat waves.
-
This does not diminish concerns about excessive screen time or the value of reducing distractions during the school day.
Adjective
-
In the days leading up to his show, Chavarria and his team were hard at work in his make-shift studio in the 6th arrondissement.
-
Closing a chapter, not the relationships For Sevy, the hardest part is closing this chapter with the people who made the place feel like home.
Adjective
-
Runcie is sharply attuned to the vast uncomfortable grey areas of gender and power relations, navigating them with wry, revelatory observations that are devastatingly acute.
-
That observation carries an uncomfortable implication for executives.
Adjective
-
Sarah Buck, Chicago Driving has become harder The rapid increase in bike lanes has made driving much more difficult and tedious, with numerous delays due to many streets being reduced to one lane in busy areas.
-
Republican strategists have welcomed those nominations as an opening for attack in a difficult election year.
Adjective
-
Fireworks from formal rocket shows to impromptu street celebrations can create extremely unhealthy air quality, sometimes rivaling what comes from wildfires.
-
The impression was bolstered Friday afternoon when dozens of A-list celebrities were seen heading into the venue in formal wear, from Karlie Kloss and Hugh Grant to Jason Sudeikis and Chris Jones.
Adjective
-
Supergirl is a jaded punk-rock youngster who has a cool dog and gets drunk to cope with past trauma.
-
Ouch, Carter falling drunk off his horse.
Cite this Entry
“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
