What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stiffly
Example
He walked stiffly across the room, his back straight and his arms at his sides. [stiffly: adverb]
Example
The CEO spoke stiffly to the employees during the meeting, using formal language and a serious tone. [stiffly: adverb]
awkwardly
Example
She tripped and fell awkwardly on the sidewalk, scraping her knee. [awkwardly: adverb]
Example
The conversation between the two exes was awkwardly silent, with neither knowing what to say. [awkwardly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Awkwardly is more commonly used than stiffly in everyday language. Awkwardly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stiffly is less common and often associated with more formal or tense situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stiffly and awkwardly?
Stiffly is typically associated with a more formal or rigid tone, while awkwardly can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be more versatile in its usage.
