stiff-arm

1 of 2

verb

ˈstif-ˌärm How to pronounce stiff-arm (audio)
stiff-armed; stiff-arming; stiff-arms
Synonyms of stiff-armnext

intransitive verb

: straight-arm

transitive verb

1
: straight-arm
2
: to treat with disdain or neglect : slight, snub
The downside of stiff-arming the press is that reporters bear a grudge …—Fred Barnes

stiff-arm

2 of 2

noun

: straight-arm

Synonyms of stiff-arm

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Verb

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Examples of stiff-arm in a Sentence

Verb in his sad and lonely old age, he stiff-armed even once-beloved friends
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The next game, stiff-arming guys. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026 After stiff-arming challengers on the front 9, Cink played free and easy. — Jay Paris, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
Dart finished that run by winding up a big stiff-arm for Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Now fully cleared, Norfleet has been working to avoid unnecessary hits — using stiff-arms or quick cuts instead of always lowering his shoulder — and is focusing on improving his route running through film study and experimentation. — Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stiff-arm

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stiff-arm was in 1909

Rhymes for stiff-arm

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Browse Nearby Words

stiff
stiff-arm
stiff aster
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stiff-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stiff-arm. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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