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

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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
  • That doesn’t portray a hero, but rather someone so arrogant as to invent his own law and appoint himself its executioner.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Maybe so, but that’s an arrogant thing for such a young killer to say.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • All three ensembles diverged from the Vatican's traditional dress code, which prescribes a formal black suit, black tie, and a black lapel pin for male attendees at papal funerals.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • However, according to King Law Group, formal approval can only be granted through a physical notice mailed to the petitioner’s address.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Why Communication Training Often Fails To Stick Some people are very stubborn and stick to their communication style, even when confronted.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The most glaring of those misses came against Arsenal in October, with Bournemouth trying to break down a stubborn defence following William Saliba’s dismissal.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ars Technica: Your AI take is that neither the dystopian view of sentient AI or the utopian view is necessarily correct.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Roth was correct as the rain didn’t start for more than 90 minutes, which seemingly would have given the Royals and Rockies a chance to get a good chunk of the game played.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Since then, White House officials have remained adamant about sticking by Hegseth, even as criticism has mounted in recent weeks and questions about his judgment have resurfaced.
    Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Despite the significant decline, the Trump administration is adamant about shoring up the border to ensure it is left secure before leaving office.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The point in this rally is to encourage our judiciary to deliver stiff sentences when animal cruelty has been committed, and solid evidence has been presented.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Hurricane Helene cleanup efforts in East Tennessee are up against a stiff deadline as crews work to complete the project by June.
    Asher Redd, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • And the honeycomb design isn’t just nice on the eyes.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • It’s made of a tarp-like material that feels pretty durable and the lid zippers, which is nice to contain smells.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • President Trump Makes His Entrance At Pope Francis' Funeral By Emma Marsden Freelance News Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 7 Pope Francis' funeral took place in a solemn ceremony at the Vatican on Saturday, drawing hundreds of thousands of mourners from around the world.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The solemn ceremony will draw world leaders from around the globe.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Apr. 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 1 May. 2025.

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