stiff·en·er
-f(ə)nə(r) 
plural -s
: one that stiffens: such as
a
: a worker who sizes hats
b
: something (such as buckram or a piece of paperboard) used for stiffening a manufactured article
specifically
: counter entry 5 sense 5
c
: any of a number of vertical angles secured at intervals across the entire width of the web of a large plate girder to prevent buckling
d
: an angle iron, channel, or other structural shape used to increase the rigidity of plating on a ship's bulkhead
called also stiffening bar
e
: a structural member other than a flat sheet used to reinforce the frame of an aircraft compare stringer
f
: an alcoholic bracer
Examples of stiffen in a Sentence
Verb
She stiffened when he grabbed her shoulder.
The dogs stiffened in alarm.
The law would stiffen penalties for tax evasion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
26 June 2026
Pulisic played a dynamic first half in the Americans' historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay to open their home World Cup nearly two weeks ago, but the AC Milan midfielder came off at halftime after an injury from training stiffened up.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
For seven-and-a-half years, Ladd had dealt with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease that stiffens and scars the lungs.
—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 June 2026
Major media companies operating traditional linear networks have been under pressure in recent years amid stiffening competition from large tech rivals as programming migrates to streaming.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Group 1 is pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare and severe version that occurs when blood vessels in the lungs narrow and stiffen.
—
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
26 June 2026
Pulisic played a dynamic first half in the Americans' historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay to open their home World Cup nearly two weeks ago, but the AC Milan midfielder came off at halftime after an injury from training stiffened up.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
For seven-and-a-half years, Ladd had dealt with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease that stiffens and scars the lungs.
—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 June 2026
Major media companies operating traditional linear networks have been under pressure in recent years amid stiffening competition from large tech rivals as programming migrates to streaming.
—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stiffen
Cite this Entry
“Stiffen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stiffen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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