stiffen

[ stif-uh n ]

/ ˈstɪf ən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR stiffen 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.

Nearby words

stiff as a board, stiff upper lip, stiff-arm, stiff-man syndrome, stiff-necked, stiffen, stiffener, stiffly, stiffy, stifle, stifling

Origin of stiffen

First recorded in 1490–1500; stiff + -en¹

Related forms

o·ver·stiff·en, verbun·stiff·ened, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for stiffen

The embrace caused Susskind to stiffen up “like an unwilling virgin,” he later said.
Nikita Khrushchev, Talk Show Guest|Stephen Battaglio|November 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST
She would break down to some degree, and then stiffen back up.
The Copycat Killer Mom|Harriet McLeod|August 17, 2010|DAILY BEAST
"No," he replied; and his face seemed to stiffen, and he moved a little away from Katherine Hunt.
A Sister of the Red Cross|Mrs. L. T. Meade
Indignation and resentment were good things to stiffen a man's back.
The Money Master, Complete|Gilbert Parker

For a second I realise that it is the track of a torpedo, and I stiffen myself to receive the explosion.
'Green Balls'|Paul Bewsher
Stiffen by pasting them on cardboard; then cut out the men, dogs, and sled more carefully in detail.
Little Folks' Handy Book|Lina Beard
England accepted a few invasions and conquests and then had to stiffen up and work the material into a mold.
Our Part in the Great War|Arthur Gleason

British Dictionary definitions for stiffen

stiffen

/ (ˈstɪfən) /

verb

to make or become stiff or stiffer

(intr) to become suddenly tense or unyielding

Derived Forms

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