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stiffen

[ stif-uhn ]
/ ˈstÉȘf ən /
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See synonyms for: stiffen / stiffened / stiffening on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
to make stiff.
verb (used without object)
to become stiff.
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.
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Origin of stiffen

First recorded in 1490–1500; stiff + -en1

OTHER WORDS FROM stiffen

o·ver·stiff·en, verbun·stiff·ened, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stiffen in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for stiffen

stiffen
/ (ˈstÉȘfən) /

verb
to make or become stiff or stiffer
(intr) to become suddenly tense or unyielding

Derived forms of stiffen

stiffener, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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