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stiff
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- pronunciation:
- stIf
- parts of speech:
- adjective, adverb
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
stiffer, stiffest |
| definition 1: |
not easy to bend.
This thick cardboard is really stiff.- synonyms:
- firm, inflexible, rigid
- antonyms:
- flexible, limp, plastic, supple
- similar words:
- crisp, hard
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| definition 2: |
not moving or operating easily.
I could hardly open the stiff door.She complained about her stiff ankles.- antonyms:
- agile, loose, supple
- similar words:
- rigid, taut, tense
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| definition 3: |
not easy in expression or movement; formal.
She gave them a stiff greeting.I felt uneasy because of her stiff manner.- synonyms:
- aloof, formal
- antonyms:
- informal, relaxed
- similar words:
- austere, awkward, brittle, chilly, cold, cool, distant, prim, stuffy, unfriendly, wooden
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| definition 4: |
difficult.
It was a stiff climb up the mountain.There's some stiff competition for the job.- synonyms:
- difficult, hard
- antonyms:
- easy
- similar words:
- exacting, fatiguing, heavy, tough
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| definition 5: |
severe; harsh.
He endured some stiff punishment for stealing.- synonyms:
- harsh, severe, strict
- antonyms:
- mild
- similar words:
- exacting, hard, ruthless
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| definition 6: |
rather firm or thick.
Beat the egg whites until they are stiff.- synonyms:
- thick
- antonyms:
- runny, thin
- similar words:
- dense, firm, heavy, solid
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| definition 7: |
very high; above normal.
Stiff prices make it hard for poor families to get by.- synonyms:
- excessive
- similar words:
- difficult, exacting, extravagant, heavy, high, steep
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| related words: |
clumsy, erect, expensive, reserved, severe, stern, tight |
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| part of speech: |
adverb |
| inflections: |
stiffer, stiffest |
| definition: |
completely; entirely.
I was bored stiff during the meeting.She was scared stiff by the monster.- synonyms:
- totally
- similar words:
- absolutely, extremely
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| related words: |
straight |
| derivations: |
stiffly (adv.), stiffness (n.) |
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