stiffen
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for stiffen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make something rigid or less flexible.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use stiffen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
stiffen with cold
muscles stiffen
stiffen the resolve
Etymology
From Middle English stifnen — "stiff" plus the verb-forming ending "-en", same pattern as "harden" or "soften".
Full origin of stiffen →Frequently asked questions
What does “stiffen” mean?
The word “stiffen” means to make something rigid or less flexible. In plain terms, to turn rigid or firm, whether that is fabric, muscles, or someone's posture.
How do you pronounce “stiffen”?
“Stiffen” is pronounced STIH-fuhn (/ˈstɪfən/ in IPA).
How do you use “stiffen” in a sentence?
Here is “stiffen” used in a sentence: “Starch stiffens the collar so it holds its shape.”
What is another word for “stiffen”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stiffen” include starken.
What part of speech is “stiffen”?
“Stiffen” is a verb.
Where does the word “stiffen” come from?
The word “stiffen” comes from Middle English. From Middle English stifnen — "stiff" plus the verb-forming ending "-en", same pattern as "harden" or "soften".
How many meanings does “stiffen” have?
“Stiffen” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something rigid or less flexible.
