stiff-necked

1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude he was too stiff-necked to admit that "underlings" might have useful ideas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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-necked But some Jews stubbornly refused to assimilate and continued the sometimes strange and stiff-necked traditions of our people. TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff-necked
Adjective
  • Christopher McDonald plays Happy’s comically villainous, arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, maestro of the finger guns.
    Skyler Trepel, EW.com, 25 July 2025
  • In addition to Sandler, the 2025 film also sees the return of several familiar faces, including Julie Bowen as Happy’s love interest, Virginia Venit; Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, Happy’s arrogant nemesis; and Ben Stiller as Hal L., the orderly from Happy’s grandmother’s nursing home.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Just last year, California Olive Ranch became the first company in North America to receive formal regenerative certification from A Greener World for over 4,600 acres on their own ranches.
    Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • As of yet, however, there has been no formal bid, which effectively means limbo.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Beneath its surface were deep, dark scars—grooves cut through the rock by old lava flows, now overgrown with stubborn green.
    Tess Moormans, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2025
  • The fizzing reaction can help remove stubborn residues.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, your internal systems don’t have the capacity or the interoperability to pull together the data across disparate networks and applications to verify if their invoice numbers are correct.
    Kevin Akeroyd, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • Prosecutors argued in their filing on July 29 that Joseph was correct and that Adelman should allow the case to proceed.
    John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Since camp got underway, he's been adamant that winning games is far more important than his personal stats.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Liverpool communicated an interest in acquiring the Sweden international for around £120m, though Newcastle have been adamant for months that Isak is not for sale.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Contenders are already paying stiff prices to get them.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025
  • Both pitchers are approaching arbitration and a stiff raise in salary.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • The units also vary in shape: the cube is nice for nightstands, while the wider grand size works well on large dressers.
    Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
  • And, the embroidery on the pillowcases adds a nice touch.
    Shalwah Evans, People.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Common observances on Good Friday Good Friday is one of the most solemn days in the Christian calendar, observed by millions worldwide during the Easter season.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • The moment was filled with conflicting emotions, a mix of gratitude and solemn reflection.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stiff-necked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-necked. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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