as in strengthens
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
plans to further stiffen the already onerous requirements for admission to the elite military unit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 stiffens
For seven-and-a-half years, Ladd had dealt with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease that stiffens and scars the lungs.
—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 June 2026
To execute its ruthless 66-pound weight loss program, the rear seats have been completely deleted, replaced by a massive structural strut brace that significantly stiffens the chassis.
—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Golden State’s schedule stiffens with an upcoming trip to New York and Indiana.
—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.
—
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
Will these Knicks stick to the process when the competition stiffens in the second round?
—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
The men’s Run 900 Ultra Black Shorts feature integrated Rheon technology, a reactive polymer that remains soft at rest but stiffens under pressure.
—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
The woman—Rose, apparently—stiffens slightly.
—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Moving the kink to one end makes that side soft and the opposite end stiff; placing it at the center softens the middle and stiffens both edges.
—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Mar. 2026
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 June 2026
To execute its ruthless 66-pound weight loss program, the rear seats have been completely deleted, replaced by a massive structural strut brace that significantly stiffens the chassis.
—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Golden State’s schedule stiffens with an upcoming trip to New York and Indiana.
—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
The rings arise because the metal softens as the can compresses, then stiffens, then compresses and stiffens again, repeating the pattern until the compression is complete—akin to something called homoclinic snaking.
—
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
Will these Knicks stick to the process when the competition stiffens in the second round?
—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
The men’s Run 900 Ultra Black Shorts feature integrated Rheon technology, a reactive polymer that remains soft at rest but stiffens under pressure.
—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2026
The woman—Rose, apparently—stiffens slightly.
—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Moving the kink to one end makes that side soft and the opposite end stiff; placing it at the center softens the middle and stiffens both edges.
—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffens
strengthens
Verb
-
Culture strengthens when communication is transparent, feedback loops close and leaders are accountable for engagement.
-
Scientists say similar widespread impacts have not yet been documented in the current marine heatwave, but warn that conditions could shift quickly if El Niño strengthens as forecast.
Cite this Entry
“Stiffens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffens. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
