stiffen Definition
- 1to become firm, rigid, or inflexible
- 2to make something firm, rigid, or inflexible
Using stiffen: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stiffen" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The cold weather made his fingers stiffen.
Example
She stiffened her spine and refused to back down.
Example
The addition of more flour will stiffen the dough.
stiffen Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with stiffen
Example
After hearing the criticism, she stiffened her resolve to prove them wrong.
stiffen up
to become tense or rigid, often due to fear or anxiety
Example
The dog stiffened up when he heard the loud noise.
Example
The government is considering stiffening the penalties for tax evasion.
Summary: stiffen in Brief
The verb 'stiffen' [ˈstɪfən] means to become firm, rigid, or inflexible, or to make something firm, rigid, or inflexible. It can refer to physical or emotional states, such as 'The cold weather made his fingers stiffen' or 'She stiffened her spine and refused to back down.' The phrase 'stiffen one's resolve' means to become more determined, while 'stiffen up' refers to becoming tense or rigid due to fear or anxiety. 'Stiffen the penalty' means to make a punishment more severe.