STIFF Synonyms: 607 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'stiff' distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words inflexible and rigid are common synonyms of stiff . While all three words mean "difficult to bend," stiff may apply to any degree of this condition. // stretching keeps your muscles from becoming stiff

Q: In what contexts can 'inflexible' take the place of 'stiff'?

The meanings of inflexible and stiff largely overlap; however, inflexible stresses lack of suppleness or pliability. // ski boots with inflexible soles

Q: When would 'rigid' be a good substitute for 'stiff'?

In some situations, the words rigid and stiff are roughly equivalent. However, rigid applies to something so stiff that it cannot be bent without breaking. // a rigid surfboard

stiff 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstif

Definition of stiff

as in rigid

incapable of or highly resistant to bending use a stiff piece of paper for the project

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as in tough

difficult to endure stiff winds

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as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount don't you think that's a pretty stiff fine for such a minor infraction?

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as in hard

having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure stir two cups of flour with the remaining ingredients to make a stiff dough

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as in uncomfortable

lacking social grace and assurance felt stiff and ill-at-ease whenever she was introduced to her parents' friends

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as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort we'll have a stiff climb to actually reach the summit

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as in formal

marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details the stiff politeness with which I was greeted suggested that they weren't truly happy to see me

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as in drunk

being under the influence of alcohol seeing that the customer was more than a little stiff, the bartender offered to call a cab for him

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stiff

2 of 3

verb

as in to cut

to deliberately ignore or treat rudely the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events

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as in to squeeze

to rob by the use of trickery or threats customers who were too embarrassed to admit that they had been stiffed by an Internet company claiming to sell designer handbags

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stiff

3 of 3

noun

as in corpse

a dead body to the mortician, a stiff was a stiff and they were all pretty much alike

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as in person

a member of the human race one lucky stiff will get the biggest jackpot in the lottery's history

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stiff distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words inflexible and rigid are common synonyms of stiff. While all three words mean "difficult to bend," stiff may apply to any degree of this condition.

stretching keeps your muscles from becoming stiff

In what contexts can inflexible take the place of stiff?

The meanings of inflexible and stiff largely overlap; however, inflexible stresses lack of suppleness or pliability.

ski boots with inflexible soles

When would rigid be a good substitute for stiff?

In some situations, the words rigid and stiff are roughly equivalent. However, rigid applies to something so stiff that it cannot be bent without breaking.

a rigid surfboard

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of stiff

Adjective

Carl lowers his head like a hitter hit by a pitch, then rouses himself and breaks into a stiff, elderly trot, shooting a salute over at whoever’s inside the tilted little guard hut. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Gradually beat in powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks form. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Verb

Dolan then appeared to take a shot at Mamdani during the team's victory celebration at City Hall and did his best to stiff him in a photo op. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 This look has the same sophisticated, polished feel of a suit moment without the dedication to stiff layers. — Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026

Noun

Now the working stiffs are white-collar people. — Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026 The bar remains a point of pride, originally a place where patrons made their own drinks and now a place where bartenders mix the stiff, old‑school cocktails. — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stiff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff

Adjective

These chemical conflicts ultimately leave current flexible solar modules far behind their rigid counterparts in both efficiency and stability.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
The company played with flexible workdays instead of rigid schedules, clearer windows for collaboration, simpler rules for meetings, better ways to share and document work, and more intentional reasons for coming together in person.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of rigid

Adjective

The case has led to calls for tougher oversight of churches and other religious organizations in a country where religious faith plays a prominent role in public life.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Thermal equilibrium might sound like a tough concept, but hundreds of systems reach them around us on a daily basis.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Brought by Koya’s estate and daughter Nathifa Wright, it’s being heard at Sacramento’s United States District Court and seeks damages for 17 claims, including false detention, excessive force and wrongful death.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

In a century where the lives of billions are defined by chronic disease, demographic change, and digital systems, China has become one of the central proving grounds for some of the hardest issues in global health.

— Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Next year's public spending review — when the government sets future budgets for departments and public services — could be even harder for lawmakers who appear averse to any cuts.

— Ian King, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Jarman, who came in as the defending champion on the event, put together a more difficult routine but was nicked by judges for his execution.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
This is the last remaining game on the schedule that should be very difficult.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Prosecutors say Canadian visitor Mitchell Fairbarn took Peachy from the Flamingo Las Vegas habitat in a drunk prank and injured the bird; his lawyer says Fairbarn never intended harm.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
This is where Krasner and Pollock lived for nearly 11 years, until Pollock killed himself and one of his passengers, Edith Metzger, while driving drunk, injuring his girlfriend, Ruth Kligman, too.

— John Yau, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of drunk

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sties

stiff

stiff-arm

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Style

“Stiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stiff

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verb

noun

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Phrases Containing stiff

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