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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
her dinner parties are typically stiff-necked affairs, more to be endured than enjoyed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
obviously uninterested in hearing any excuses, the stiff-necked officer handed me my speeding ticket with a flourish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff-necked
Adjective
-
The tricky part of being a celebrity like Firstman on the internet is that some people can conflate your comedic persona (which is maybe a little arrogant, a little colorful) with your real identity.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
Hunter is stubborn, arrogant and gifted enough to play for the Briar hockey team, yet refuses to for reasons the show has yet to reveal.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Many other people reject formal education (for other people, though usually not for their own kids) as unnecessary to attaining the highest ranks of wealth and power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
But, the grande dame here is the two-bedroom Alii Royal suite ($26,000 a night) with an open living and dining space, a formal seating area, a library, and three private balconies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images Are Americans finally starting to feel the strain of soaring gas prices and stubborn inflation?—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
-
Treasury yields have gone up in recent months as stubborn inflation reduces the likelihood of Fed rate cuts, Pisula notes, while geopolitical tensions add more long-term risk to rates.—
Tim Maxwell,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The star-nosed mole’s speed is an adaptation for the act of recognition itself — for making correct categorical decisions, in the dark, at the physical limit of neural transmission.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
In an interview with the Observer, Page acknowledged that the department’s initial claim that Manigault came into the store waving a gun was not correct.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Board president Kevin Smith said the poll workers took the correct actions with the adamant voter and Thursday’s board vote corrected his attempt to vote a second time.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
And Meg [Marinis] was very adamant.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cracks in the casing, a stiff or fraying cord, or discoloration around outlets mean that your power strip is failing.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
16 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, another five states, including death-tax-free California and Florida, impose stiff fees to probate (that is, get court approval for) an estate and/or require a family to pay attorneys.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
This classy, versatile shirt is easy to wear, either tucked or untucked, with a pair of blue jeans, a satin skirt, or nice trousers.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
-
The win marked a nice bounce-back for Georgetown, which had dropped four of five games before this second straight win.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The annual solemn ceremony was a kickoff to Patriot Week.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Despite the crowds, the rousing music, and the excitement, Washington’s departure was a solemn affair, freighted by the stunning fact that the American colonies were now truly at war with the British Empire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stiff-necked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-necked. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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