stiffen

[ stif-uhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make stiff.

verb (used without object)

1. to become stiff.
2. to become suddenly tense, rigid, or taut, as in bracing oneself for or drawing back from shock, fear, or displeasure:

   He stiffened, expecting to hear the worst.

stiffen

/ ˈstɪfən /

verb

1. to make or become stiff or stiffer
2. intr to become suddenly tense or unyielding

Derived Forms

• ˈstiffener, noun

Other Words From

• over·stiffen verb
• un·stiffened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stiffen¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; stiff + -en ¹

Example Sentences

When muscles contract and stiffen up, they can put pressure on nearby nerves.

From Popular-Science

From Charlottesville to Capitol Hill, folks bracing for the worst — workers and residents who lived through violence and bloodshed — stiffened and waited for the metal manifestations of so much American hatred to be removed.

From Washington Post

Our skin sags, our hair goes gray, joints stiffen and creak—all signs that our components—that is, proteins and other biomolecules—aren’t what they used to be.

From Ars Technica

GOP-backed bills in various statehouses aim to ban ballot drop boxes, limit voting periods, restrict absentee voting or stiffen requirements for voter identification.

From Washington Post

In December, Congress rewrote aviation safety laws in an effort to stiffen the regulator’s oversight of the company.

From Washington Post

The embrace caused Susskind to stiffen up “like an unwilling virgin,” he later said.

From The Daily Beast

She would break down to some degree, and then stiffen back up.

From The Daily Beast

Black Hood took two steps toward her and saw her gun wrist stiffen.

From Project Gutenberg

Jessie saw the dark eyes blaze and the stern face of the countess stiffen with fury.

From Project Gutenberg

Beardsley saw her stiffen; there was a change across her face, a struggle beneath the eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

From where he sat watching—curious to see what Cash would do—Bud saw him flinch and stiffen as a man does under pain.

From Project Gutenberg

There is also in large bridges wind-bracing to stiffen the structure against horizontal forces.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• reinforce
• solidify
• stabilize
• strengthen