Synonyms for stiff
modified
Not easily bent
solid, rigid, congealed, petrified, ossified, firm, tense, unyielding, inflexible, inelastic, hard, hardened, starched, annealed, cemented, stony, starchy, taut, contracted, thick, indurate, stubborn, obstinate, pertinacious, numb, unbending, thickened, wooden, steely, frozen, solidified, chilled, benumbed, refractory.
Antonyms flexible*, softened, soft.
Formal
ungainly, ungraceful, unnatural; see awkward.
Severe
rigorous, exact, strict; see severe 1, 2.
Obstinate
stubborn, inflexible, headstrong; see obstinate 1.
Potent
hard, potent, powerful; see strong 8.
*Difficult
arduous, hard, laborious; see difficult 1. See syn. study at firm.
See stiff in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Synonyms
stiff rigid inflexible inelastic tense 1
These adjectives describe what is very firm and does not easily bend or give way. Stiff, the least specific, refers to what can be flexed only with difficulty (a brush with stiff bristles); with reference to persons it often suggests a lack of ease, cold formality, or fixity, as of purpose: “stiff in opinions” (John Dryden).
Rigid and inflexible apply to what cannot be bent without damage or deformation (a table of rigid plastic; an inflexible knife blade); figuratively they describe what does not relent or yield: “under the dictates of a rigid disciplinarian” (Thomas B. Aldrich). “In religion the law is written, and inflexible, never to do evil” (Oliver Goldsmith).
Inelastic refers largely to what will not stretch and spring back without marked physical change: inelastic construction materials.
Tense means stretched tight and figuratively applies to what is marked by tautness or strain: “that tense moment of expectation” (Arnold Bennett).
See stiff in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
adjective
Not changing shape or bending:
inelastic, inflexible, rigid, unbending, unyielding. See flexibleStretched tightly:
taut, tense, tight. See tightenSo rigidly constrained, formal, or awkward as to lack all grace and spontaneity:
buckram, starchy, stilted, wooden. See flexibleIndicating or possessing determination, resolution, or persistence:
constant, determined, firm1, resolute, steadfast, steady, tough, unbending, uncompromising, unflinching, unwavering, unyielding. See purposeHaving a high concentration of the distinguishing ingredient:
concentrated, potent, strong. See strongVastly exceeding a normal limit, as in cost:
sky-high, steep1, stratospheric, unconscionable. See big, usual
noun
- (Slang)
The physical frame of a dead person or animal:
body, cadaver, carcass, corpse, remains. See body - (Slang)
A person who is habitually drunk:
drunk, drunkard, inebriate, sot, tippler. (Slang) boozehound, boozer, lush2, rummy1, soak, souse, sponge. See drugs - (Slang)
A stingy person:
miser, niggard, Scrooge, skinflint. (Informal) penny pincher. (Slang) cheapskate, tightwad. See give
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