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, stiffnecked, stiffy, stifle

Origin of stiffen

First recorded in 1490–1500; stiff + -en¹

Related formso·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 stiffened

At the crucial moment, she stiffened George HW Bush's spine to fight to rescue Kuwait in the first Gulf War.
How Margaret Thatcher Saved Britain and Changed the World|David Frum|April 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It stiffened Israeli backs even further against being conciliatory about starting talks with the Palestinians.
Fire the Mideast Policy Team!|Leslie H. Gelb|July 7, 2010|DAILY BEAST
She stiffened in her chair and said, "Nobody takes this more personally than the president."
How I Got Interrogated by the Bushies|John Avlon|January 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Lancken stiffened perceptibly at this suggestion and refused, frankly, saying that he could not do anything of the sort.
A Journal From Our Legation in Belgium|Hugh Gibson

He led the way, walking rapidly, while Marishka struggled beside him as fast as her stiffened limbs permitted.
The Secret Witness|George Gibbs
Ingram cursed, and sprang at him, but Glyde stiffened his arm and held him off.
Rest Harrow|Maurice Hewlett
With stiffened joints, but light hearts, we seek our lodgings.
Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast|Samuel Adams Drake
Mr. Lindsay stiffened slightly, and there was a world of meaning in his one word of answer, "No!"
The Tobacco Tiller|Sarah Bell Hackley

British Dictionary definitions for stiffened

stiffen

/ (ˈstɪfən) /

verb

to make or become stiff or stiffer

(intr) to become suddenly tense or unyielding

Derived Formsstiffener, 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

Word Origin and History for stiffened

stiffen

1590s, from stiff (adj.) + -en (1). Related: Stiffened; stiffening.

stiffen

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of stiffen

Examples from the Web for stiffened

British Dictionary definitions for stiffened

stiffen

verb

Word Origin and History for stiffened

stiffen