Stiffen
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈstɪfən/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Stiffen is a verb meaning (transitive) To make stiff.
Meaning
(transitive) To make stiff.
More Meanings
- (intransitive) To become stiff.
Example Sentences
Bewildered by the unexpected greeting, my son stiffened, but managed a polite answer.
He does note that fascia, like most connective tissue in the body, stiffens with age, overuse and injury.
Criminal prosecutions of abusers are generally the responsibility of local authorities, but the act stiffened sentences for stalking under federal law.
As Willis spoke and tried to smile the voices inside him rang together like a bell, stiffening him and hollowing him and emptying him of his troubled song.
Word Forms
- stiffens
- stiffening
- stiffened
Synonyms for stiffen
Depending on context, synonyms include starken, constrain, tighten.
Antonyms for stiffen
Common opposites include loose, relax, loosen.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include tighten, constrain, toughen, strengthen, reinforce, sharpen.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.