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stiffen Definition

stiffen (stif′ən)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become stiff or stiffer

stiffen Related Forms

stiff′·ener noun

stiffen Synonyms

stiffen

v.

  1. To grow stiff

    jellify, gel, jelly, thicken, clot, coagulate, solidify, congeal, condense, set, curdle, freeze, inspissate, cake, chill, candy, crystallize; see also harden 2.

    Antonyms soften*, melt*, liquefy. *

  2. To cause to become stiff

    harden, benumb, anneal, starch, petrify, ossify, brace, prop, cement, fix, precipitate, evaporate, strengthen, invigorate, revive, bring to, inflate.

    Antonyms relax*, moisten*, limber.

stiffen Usage Examples

Object

  • sinew: Both these pieces read like a call to arms, an attempt to stiffen the sinews of the 1701 and 1702 parliaments.
  • rib: Modeling considerations, stiffening ribs, extensive tables of relative effects for various arrangements.
  • resolve: It seems to have stiffened resolve against the idea of the town's becoming England's " club capital.
  • suspension: The cover also helps stiffen the rear suspension for precise sport riding.
  • peak: The stiffened peak is okay, tho a wired one would be better.
  • penalty: Full two dozen stiffening criminal penalties boosting sales for.

Modifying Another Word

  • suddenly: He stiffened suddenly, barely hearing the cry from an area generally to his right.
  • only: He shares this predicament with many in the UK but it has only stiffened his resolve to carry on with the trading regardless.
  • not: The German resistance on the Western front did not stiffen in April 1945; by that time the German armies were falling apart.
  • slightly: She would walk on to the set and you would find yourself stiffening slightly.
  • so: Add flour to stiffen so that a fork will tank upright in the mixture.
  • often: This was a coarse fabric of silk, wool, or silk mixed with wool or mohair, often stiffened with gum.

Used with why or when

when: The joints stiffen when you are asleep, but it takes less than half an hour to get going in the morning.

Preposition: in

position: It is particularly important to stretch the hip joint to prevent stiffening in a bent position making you lean forward.

Preposition: of

  • muscle: This is due to stiffening of the heart muscle.
  • spine: This does not mean keeping still in bed, because this can hasten the stiffening of the spine.
  • joint: The second thing is a stiffening of the joints, which restricts the range of movement.
  • limb: Some just consist of staring, perhaps accompanied by stiffening of the limbs and they may not cause the parents great concern.
  • body: There may sometimes be occasional jerks or stiffening of the body.

Preposition: with

whalebone: It is usual for the petticoat of a court dress to be supported by a substantial hoop stiffened with whalebone.