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Stiffen: meaning, definitions and examples

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stiffen

 

[ ˈstɪfən ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

muscles

To make or become stiff or rigid; to make or become less flexible.

Synonyms

harden, solidify, strengthen

Examples of usage

  • Exercise can help to stiffen your muscles.
  • The cold weather caused the metal to stiffen and become brittle.
Context #2 | Verb

resolve

To make or become more severe, strict, or determined.

Synonyms

harden, intensify, tighten

Examples of usage

  • The company decided to stiffen its policies on employee attendance.
  • The government plans to stiffen penalties for traffic violations.
Context #3 | Verb

opposition

To make or become more resistant or opposed.

Synonyms

bolster, fortify, strengthen

Examples of usage

  • The new evidence will likely stiffen the opposition's stance on the issue.
  • The aggressive tactics only served to stiffen the resolve of the protestors.

Translations

Translations of the word "stiffen" in other languages:

🇵🇹 endurecer

🇮🇳 कठोर करना

🇩🇪 versteifen

🇮🇩 mengeras

🇺🇦 загартовувати

🇵🇱 usztywniać

🇯🇵 硬くする (kataku suru)

🇫🇷 durcir

🇪🇸 endurecer

🇹🇷 sertleştirmek

🇰🇷 굳어지게 하다

🇸🇦 يجعل صلبًا

🇨🇿 ztuhnout

🇸🇰 stuhnúť

🇨🇳 变硬 (biàn yìng)

🇸🇮 otrditi

🇮🇸 harðna

🇰🇿 қатайту

🇬🇪 გამყარება

🇦🇿 sərtləşdirmək

🇲🇽 endurecer

Etymology

The word 'stiffen' dates back to Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'stīfian', meaning 'to make stiff'. Over time, the word has retained its core meaning of making something rigid or less flexible, while also developing additional connotations related to severity, determination, or resistance.

See also: stiff, stiffer, stiffly, stiffness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,894, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.