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Definitions

stiff

[stif] / stɪf /
ADJECTIVE
hard, inflexible
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arthritic creaky rigid solid stark tense thick tight wooden
STRONG
brittle buckram firm refractory rheumatic set
WEAK
annealed benumbed cemented chilled congealed contracted fixed frozen graceless hardened immalleable impliable incompliant indurate inelastic jelled mechanical numbed ossified petrified resistant solidified starched starchy steely stiff as a board stony taut thickened unbending unflexible ungraceful unsupple unyielding
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bending flexible loose pliable slack soft
STRONG
indefinite supple
WEAK
pliant
ADJECTIVE
formal, standoffish
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cold strong wooden
WEAK
angular artificial austere ceremonious constrained forced hardheaded headstrong inflexible intractable labored mannered obstinate pertinacious pompous priggish prim punctilious relentless starchy stilted stubborn uneasy ungainly ungraceful unnatural unrelaxed unrelenting
Antonyms
WEAK
casual easy easygoing flexible informal
ADJECTIVE
difficult
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hard tough
STRONG
uphill
WEAK
arduous exacting fatiguing formidable laborious trying
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy facile simple
ADJECTIVE
extreme, severe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brisk excessive extreme hard harsh heavy rigorous sharp steep strict stringent strong vigorous
STRONG
great potent
WEAK
austere cruel drastic exorbitant extravagant immoderate inexorable inordinate oppressive pitiless powerful unconscionable undue
Antonyms
STRONGEST
gentle lenient mild moderate
WEAK
normal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Santa Monica social media company is pursuing profitability and efficiency as it faces stiff competition for ad dollars from bigger rivals such as Facebook parent company Meta and Google.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

"There is need for a stiff deterrent sentence," Judge Gichobi said, noting the "rising cases of dealing in large quantities of garden ants and the negative ecological side effects".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

But when they are stiff, the lower back often compensates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

The consequences of not paying owed tax and not filing a return can include penalties and stiff interest on unpaid taxes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

It seemed like they were going to have some stiff competition.

From "Hopping Mad (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #4)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Vocabulary lists containing stiff

Engineering - Introductory

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Civil Engineering

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Engineering - Middle School

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!