stiffen
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to become stiff.
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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.
verb
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to make or become stiff or stiffer
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(intr) to become suddenly tense or unyielding
Other Word Forms
- overstiffen verb
- stiffener noun
- unstiffened adjective
Etymology
Origin of stiffen
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She has also vowed to stiffen prison sentences and to impose a state of emergency in areas worst hit by crime.
From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026
Redick looked as if he might stiffen under the postseason spotlight, the rookie coach uncharacteristically a man of few words and no smiles in his pregame news conference.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2025
Nonetheless, this is an important move that can help stiffen the spines at other schools.
From Salon • Apr. 16, 2025
The summit in London was an attempt by the prime minister both to calm diplomatic brows and stiffen diplomatic sinews.
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2025
Ray reaches over and half hugs me, but I stiffen, so he knocks me gently on the head with his fist.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
