Word forms: comparative stiffer, superlative stiffest
1. adjective
Something that is stiff is firm or does not bend easily.
The furniture was stiff, uncomfortable, too delicate, and too neat.
His waterproof trousers were brand new and stiff.
Her fingers were stiff with cold inside her leather gloves.
Clean the mussels with a stiff brush under cold running water.
stifflyadverb [ADVERB adjective, ADVERB with verb]
Moira sat stiffly upright in her straight-backed chair.
2. adjective
Something such as a door or drawer that is stiff does not move as easily as it should.
Train door handles are stiff so that they cannot be opened accidentally.
3. adjective
If you are stiff, your muscles or joints hurt when you move, because of illness or because of too much exercise.
Massage will relieve tension and stiff muscles.
I'm stiff all over right now–I hope I can recover for tomorrow's race.
Synonyms: unsupple, arthritic, creaky [informal], rheumaticky More Synonyms of stiff
stifflyadverb
He climbed stiffly from the Volkswagen.
stiffnessuncountable noun
Stiffness and discomfort can usually be eased with heat or a warm bath.
4. adjective
Stiff behaviour is rather formal and not very friendly or relaxed.
She looked at him with a stiff smile.
They always seemed a little awkward with each other, a bit stiff and formal.
Synonyms: formal, constrained, reserved, forced More Synonyms of stiff
stifflyadverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective]
'Why don't you borrow your sister's car?' said Cassandra stiffly.
...a stiffly worded letter of complaint.
stiffnessuncountable noun
There had been stiffness and long silences and tension in the air.
5. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Stiff can be used to mean difficult or severe.
The film faces stiff competition for the Best Film nomination.
Under the country's stiff anti-corruption laws they could face twenty years in jail.
Synonyms: vigorous, great, strong, determined More Synonyms of stiff
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A stiff drink is a large amount of a strong alcoholic drink.
...a stiff whisky.
Synonyms: potent, strong, powerful, alcoholic More Synonyms of stiff
7. graded adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A stiff wind is blowing quite strongly.
Next morning dawned clear and sunny, with a stiff breeze rustling the trees.
Synonyms: strong, fresh, powerful, vigorous More Synonyms of stiff
8. adverb [adj ADV]
If you are bored stiff, worried stiff, or scared stiff, you are extremely bored, worried, or scared.
[informal, emphasis]
Anna tried to look interested. Actually, she was bored stiff.
I was scared stiff when I realized what I'd done.
Stiff is also an adjective.
Even if he bores you stiff, it is good manners not to let him know it.
9. a stiff upper lip
More Synonyms of stiff
stiff in British English
(stɪf)
adjective
1.
not easily bent; rigid; inflexible
2.
not working or moving easily or smoothly
a stiff handle
3.
difficult to accept in its severity or harshness
a stiff punishment
4.
moving with pain or difficulty; not supple
a stiff neck
5.
difficult; arduous
a stiff climb
6.
unrelaxed or awkward; formal
7.
firmer than liquid in consistency; thick or viscous
8.
powerful; strong
a stiff breeze
a stiff drink
9.
excessively high
a stiff price
10. nautical
(of a sailing vessel) relatively resistant to heeling or rolling
Compare tender1 (sense 11)
11.
lacking grace or attractiveness
12.
stubborn or stubbornly maintained
a stiff fight
13. obsolete
tightly stretched; taut
14. slang, mainly Australian
unlucky
15. slang
intoxicated
16. stiff upper lip
17. stiff with
noun slang
18.
a corpse
19.
anything thought to be a loser or a failure; flop
adverb
20.
completely or utterly
bored stiff
frozen stiff
verb
21. (intransitive) slang
to fail
the film stiffed
22. (transitive) slang, mainly US
to cheat or swindle
23. (transitive) slang
to kill
Derived forms
stiffish (ˈstiffish)
adjective
stiffly (ˈstiffly)
adverb
stiffness (ˈstiffness)
noun
Word origin
Old English stīf; related to Old Norse stīfla to dam up, Middle Low German stīf stiff, Latin stīpēs wooden post, stīpāre to press
stiff in American English
(stɪf)
adjective
1.
hard to bend or stretch; rigid; firm; not flexible or pliant
2.
hard to move or operate; not free or limber
3.
stretched tight; taut; tense
4.
a.
sore or limited in movement
said of joints and muscles
b.
having such joints or muscles, as from exertion, cold, etc.
5.
not fluid or loose; viscous; thick; dense; firm
to beat egg whites until stiff
6.
strong
; specif.,
a.
moving swiftly, as a breeze or current
b.
containing much alcohol
said of a drink
c.
of high potency
a stiff dose of medicine
d.
done or delivered with great force; powerful
7.
harsh
stiff punishment
8.
difficult to do or deal with
a stiff climb, stiff competition
9.
excessively formal, constrained, or awkward; not easy, natural, or graceful
10.
resolute, stubborn, or uncompromising, as a person, a fight, etc.
11. Informal
high or excessive
a stiff price
12. Slang
drunk; intoxicated
13. Nautical
not careening or heeling over much despite the amount of sail carried or the strength of the wind
adverb
14.
to a stiff condition
15. Informal
completely; thoroughly
scared stiff
noun Slang
16. US
a corpse
17. US
a drunken person
18.
an excessively formal or constrained person
19. US
an awkward or rough person
20. US
a hobo
21. US
a man
a working stiff
22.
a person who gives a small tip or no gratuity at all
verb transitiveWord forms: stiffed or ˈstiffing US, Slang
23.
to cheat (someone), as by not paying
24.
to fail to leave a tip for
SIMILAR WORDS: firm
Derived forms
stiffish (ˈstiffish)
adjective
stiffly (ˈstiffly)
adverb
stiffness (ˈstiffness)
noun
Word origin
ME stif < OE, akin to Ger steif < IE *stip-, a pole, stick together (var. of base *steib(h)-, rod) > L stipes, stem, stake, log, stipare, to crowd, cram
More idioms containing
stiff
keep a stiff upper lip
be as stiff as a board
Examples of 'stiff' in a sentence
stiff
Add enough milk to make the mixture a fairly stiff consistency.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Is your neck stiff and sore in the morning?
Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)
This stiffer track should suit him better.
The Sun (2015)
But there are people who are scared stiff of the idea of dying.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They were definitely in need of a stiff drink or two.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But he has stiff competition from the other two finalists.
The Sun (2013)
And we have got some pretty stiff fighting coming.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This return to a stiff six furlongs looks sure to suit and he is much respected.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This will sell and sell or stiff completely.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This outfit would be the underdog to a stiff breeze.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This stiffer test is sure to suit.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He can play a part but the stiff climb could find him out.
The Sun (2008)
After long matches my back was getting extremely stiff.
The Sun (2015)
My knee has swollen up and it is a bit stiff.
The Sun (2009)
He just complained of a stiff neck.
The Sun (2008)
This stiff track and easy ground will play to his strengths.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But she was four and scared stiff.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She was found out when tackling stiff opposition but is bred to like the return to this surface.
The Sun (2012)
Whisk the cream until fairly stiff.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Yes only two came to grief but there have been years when that has happened before when the fences were much stiffer.
The Sun (2013)
The students and them had hard work to get them out, being so stiff and cold.
Smout, T.C. & Wood, Sydney Scottish Voices 1745-1960 (1990)
It doesn't mean you have to be formal and stiff.
Christianity Today (2000)
He will need to be more fluent than usual over these stiff fences if he is to be competitive and that is far from guaranteed.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He was like a dancing Lego man - stiff and awkward.
The Sun (2010)
In other languages
stiff
British English: stiff /stɪf/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is stiff is firm and does not bend easily.
Her shoes had a stiff leather bow on top.
American English: stiff
Arabic: جَامِد
Brazilian Portuguese: rígido
Chinese: 坚硬的
Croatian: krut
Czech: tuhý
Danish: stiv
Dutch: stijf
European Spanish: rígido
Finnish: jäykkä
French: raide
German: steif
Greek: δύσκαμπτος
Italian: rigido
Japanese: 堅い
Korean: 딱딱한
Norwegian: stiv
Polish: sztywny
European Portuguese: rígido
Romanian: rigid
Russian: жесткий
Latin American Spanish: tieso
Swedish: stel
Thai: แข็ง
Turkish: katı kumaş vb
Ukrainian: твердий
Vietnamese: cứng
All related terms of 'stiff'
stiff arm
to push away (an opponent ) with one's arm out straight
stiff task
A task is an activity or piece of work which you have to do, usually as part of a larger project.
stiff with
amply provided with
frozen stiff
Frozen stiff means the same as → frozen .
stiff-necked
If you say that someone is stiff-necked , you mean that they are proud and unwilling to do what other people want .
working stiff
A working stiff is a person who has an ordinary job that is not well-paid .
stiff upper lip
→ lip (sense 9 )
to give sb the stiff arm
US → another name for stiff-arm
a stiff upper lip
If you say that someone is keeping a stiff upper lip , you mean that they are not showing any emotion even though it is difficult for them not to.
scared to death
extremely scared
keep a stiff upper lip
to hide your emotions and not let other people see what you are feeling
be as stiff as a board
to have a very stiff body
scared to death scared stiff
If you are scared to death or scared stiff , you are extremely scared.
bore to tears/bore to death/bore stiff
If someone or something bores you to tears , bores you to death , or bores you stiff , they bore you very much.
Chinese translation of 'stiff'
stiff
(stɪf)
adj
[brush, trousers]硬挺的 (yìngtǐng de)
[paste]稠的 (chóu de)
(with aching muscles)
[person]酸(痠)痛的 (suāntòng de)
[neck, arm etc]僵硬的 (jiāngyìng de)
[door, drawer, zip etc]紧(緊)的 (jǐn de)
[manner, smile]生硬的 (shēngyìng de)
[competition]激烈的 (jīliè de)
[sentence, law]严(嚴)厉(厲)的 (yánlì de)
[whisky, brandy]烈性的 (lièxìng de)
[breeze]强(強)劲(勁)的 (qiángjìn de)
adv
to be bored/scared stiff讨(討)厌(厭)/害怕极(極)了 (tǎoyàn/hàipà jí le)
to keep a stiff upper lip (Brit) 感情不外露 (gǎnqíng bù wàilù)
All related terms of 'stiff'
to be bored/scared stiff
讨(討)厌(厭)/害怕极(極)了 tǎoyàn/hàipà jí le
to keep a stiff upper lip
( Brit ) 感情不外露 gǎnqíng bù wàilù
to be scared stiff or scared to death
吓(嚇)得要命 xià de yàomìng
it/he bores me to tears or to death or stiff
它/他把我烦(煩)死了 tā/tā bǎ wǒ fánsǐ le
to be bored to tears or bored to death or bored stiff
( inf ) 厌(厭)烦(煩)得要死 yànfán de yào sǐ
1 (adjective)
Definition
firm and not easily bent
The film is crammed with corsets, bustles and stiff collars.
Synonyms
inflexible
The boot is too inflexible to be comfortable.
rigid
rigid plastic containers
unyielding
He sat on the edge of an unyielding armchair.
hard
He stamped his feet on the hard floor.
firm
Fruit should be firm and excellent in condition.
tight
Pull the elastic tight and knot the ends.
solid
tense
She lay, eyes shut, body tense.
hardened
brittle
Pine is brittle and breaks easily.
taut
When muscles are taut or cold, there is more chance of injury.
solidified
unbending
her unbending opposition to the old regime
inelastic
Opposites
flexible
,
elastic
,
pliable
,
pliant
,
yielding
,
limp
,
ductile
,
bendable
2 (adjective)
Definition
moving with pain or difficulty
I'm stiff all over right now.
Synonyms
unsupple
arthritic
creaky (informal)
rheumaticky
Opposites
flexible
,
supple
,
lithe
,
limber
,
lissom(e)
3 (adjective)
Definition
formal and not relaxed
They always seemed a little awkward with each other, a bit stiff and formal.
Synonyms
formal
He wrote a very formal letter of apology.
constrained
reserved
He was unemotional and reserved.
forced
a forced smile
laboured
cold
mannered
wooden
artificial
uneasy
chilly
unnatural
She gave him a bright, determined smile which seemed unnatural.
austere
pompous
prim
We tend to imagine that the Victorians were very prim and proper.
stilted
His delivery was stilted and occasionally stumbling.
starchy (informal)
The poses were starchy, the smiles a shade false.
punctilious
priggish
He was a priggish, self-righteous little sneak.
standoffish
ceremonious
unrelaxed
Opposites
easy
,
natural
,
relaxed
,
casual
,
informal
,
unofficial
,
spontaneous
,
laid-back
,
unceremonious
4 (adjective)
The film faces stiff competition for the nomination.
Synonyms
vigorous
The choir and orchestra gave a vigorous performance of Haydn's oratorio.
great
strong
Eventually I felt strong enough to look at him.
determined
He is making a determined effort to regain lost ground.
spirited
He wanted merely to provoke a spirited debate.
resolute
a decisive and resolute international leader
steely
Their indecision had been replaced by steely determination.
unyielding
unflagging
5 (adjective)
Definition
difficult or severe
stiff anti-drugs laws
Synonyms
severe
This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary.
strict
French privacy laws are very strict.
harsh
He said many harsh and unkind things.
hard
His father was a hard man.
heavy
They bear a heavy burden of responsibility.
sharp
‘Don't criticize your mother,’ was his sharp reprimand.
extreme
The scheme was rejected as being too extreme.
cruel
They should spend a long time in jail to reflect on their cruel acts.
the persecution of prisoners by cruel captors
drastic
Drastic measures are needed.
rigorous
rigorous military training
stringent
Its drug-testing procedures are the most stringent in the world.
oppressive
The new laws will be as oppressive as those they replace.
austere
an austere, distant, cold person
inexorable
the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment
pitiless
He saw the pitiless eyes of his enemy.
6 (adjective)
Definition
powerful
a stiff breeze rustling the trees
Synonyms
strong
A strong current seemed to be moving the whole boat.
fresh
The air was fresh and she felt revived.
powerful
tiny flowers with a powerful scent
vigorous
He was a vigorous, handsome young man.
brisk
The breeze was cool, brisk and invigorating.
7 (adjective)
Definition
difficult or severe
the stiff climb to the finish
Synonyms
difficult
It is difficult to read the sign from here.
hard
Coping with three babies is very hard work.
tough
Whoever wins the election is going to have a tough job.
exacting
He was not well enough to carry out such an exacting task.
formidable
We have a formidable task ahead of us.
trying
The whole business has been very trying.
fatiguing
uphill
It had been an uphill struggle to achieve what she wanted.
arduous
The task was more arduous than he had calculated.
laborious
Keeping the garden tidy all year round can be a laborious task.
8 (adjective)
Definition
(of a drink) containing a lot of alcohol
a stiff whisky
Synonyms
potent
The treatment is extremely potent, but can have unpleasant side-effects.
strong
There will be a strong incentive to enter into negotiations.
powerful
a big, powerful man
alcoholic
tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages
intoxicating
intoxicating liquor
9 (adjective)
Synonyms
awkward
She made an awkward gesture with her hands.
crude
crude wooden carvings
clumsy
I'd never seen a clumsier, less coordinated boxer.
jerky (informal)
ungainly
Paul swam in his ungainly way to the side of the pool.
inelegant
The grand piano has been replaced with a small, inelegant model.
She was conscious of how inelegant she looked.
graceless
a graceless pirouette
ungraceful
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alcoholic
Definition
of or relating to alcohol
tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages
Synonyms
intoxicating,
hard,
strong,
stiff,
brewed,
fermented,
distilled,
vinous,
inebriating,
spirituous,
inebriant
in the sense of arduous
Definition
difficult to accomplish
The task was more arduous than he had calculated.
Synonyms
difficult,
trying,
hard,
tough,
tiring,
severe,
painful,
exhausting,
punishing,
harsh,
taxing,
heavy,
steep,
formidable,
fatiguing,
rigorous,
troublesome,
gruelling,
strenuous,
onerous,
laborious,
burdensome,
backbreaking,
toilsome (literary)
in the sense of austere
Definition
stern or severe
an austere, distant, cold person
Synonyms
stern,
hard,
serious,
cold,
severe,
formal,
grave,
strict,
exacting,
harsh,
stiff,
forbidding,
grim,
rigorous,
solemn,
stringent,
inflexible,
unrelenting,
unfeeling
Synonyms of 'stiff'
stiff
Explore 'stiff' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brisk
The breeze was cool, brisk and invigorating.
Synonyms
invigorating,
fresh,
biting,
sharp,
keen,
stimulating,
crisp,
bracing,
refreshing,
exhilarating,
nippy
in the sense of brittle
Definition
easily cracked or broken
Pine is brittle and breaks easily.
Synonyms
fragile,
delicate,
crisp,
crumbling,
frail,
crumbly,
breakable,
shivery,
friable,
frangible,
shatterable
in the sense of clumsy
Definition
lacking in skill or physical coordination
I'd never seen a clumsier, less coordinated boxer.
Synonyms
awkward,
blundering,
bungling,
lumbering,
inept,
bumbling,
ponderous,
ungainly,
gauche,
accident-prone,
gawky,
heavy,
uncoordinated,
cack-handed (informal),
inexpert,
maladroit,
ham-handed (informal),
like a bull in a china shop,
klutzy (US, Canadian, slang),
unskilful,
butterfingered (informal),
ham-fisted (informal),
unco (Australian, slang)
in the sense of crude
Definition
rough and simple
crude wooden carvings
Synonyms
simple,
rudimentary,
basic,
primitive,
coarse,
clumsy,
rough-and-ready,
rough-hewn
in the sense of cruel
Definition
deliberately causing pain without pity
They should spend a long time in jail to reflect on their cruel acts.the persecution of prisoners by cruel captors
Synonyms
brutal,
ruthless,
callous,
sadistic,
inhumane,
hard,
fell (archaic),
severe,
harsh,
savage,
grim,
vicious,
relentless,
murderous,
monstrous,
unnatural,
unkind,
heartless,
atrocious,
inhuman,
merciless,
cold-blooded,
malevolent,
hellish (informal),
depraved,
spiteful,
brutish,
bloodthirsty,
remorseless,
barbarous,
pitiless,
unfeeling,
sanguinary,
hard-hearted,
stony-hearted,
implacable
in the sense of determined
Definition
firmly decided
He is making a determined effort to regain lost ground.
Synonyms
resolute,
firm,
dogged,
fixed,
constant,
bold,
intent,
persistent,
relentless,
stalwart,
persevering,
single-minded,
purposeful,
tenacious,
undaunted,
strong-willed,
steadfast,
unwavering,
immovable,
unflinching,
strong-minded
in the sense of drastic
Definition
strong and severe
Drastic measures are needed.
Synonyms
extreme,
strong,
radical,
desperate,
severe,
harsh,
dire,
forceful
in the sense of exacting
Definition
making rigorous or excessive demands
He was not well enough to carry out such an exacting task.
Synonyms
demanding,
hard,
taxing,
difficult,
tough,
painstaking
in the sense of extreme
Definition
exceptionally severe or unusual
The scheme was rejected as being too extreme.
Synonyms
severe,
radical,
strict,
harsh,
stern,
rigid,
dire,
drastic,
uncompromising,
unbending
in the sense of firm
Definition
not soft or yielding to a touch or pressure
Fruit should be firm and excellent in condition.
Synonyms
hard,
solid,
compact,
dense,
set,
concentrated,
stiff,
compacted,
rigid,
compressed,
inflexible,
solidified,
unyielding,
congealed,
inelastic,
jelled,
close-grained,
jellified
Additional synonyms
in the sense of forced
Definition
false or unnatural
a forced smile
Synonyms
false,
affected,
strained,
wooden,
stiff,
artificial,
contrived,
unnatural,
insincere,
laboured
in the sense of formidable
Definition
frightening because very difficult to deal with or overcome
We have a formidable task ahead of us.
Synonyms
difficult,
taxing,
challenging,
overwhelming,
staggering,
daunting,
mammoth,
colossal,
arduous,
very great,
onerous,
toilsome (literary)
in the sense of fresh
The air was fresh and she felt revived.
Synonyms
invigorating,
clear,
clean,
bright,
sweet,
pure,
stiff,
crisp,
sparkling,
bracing,
refreshing,
brisk,
spanking,
unpolluted
in the sense of graceless
Definition
lacking elegance
a graceless pirouette
Synonyms
inelegant,
forced,
awkward,
clumsy,
ungainly,
unco (Australian, slang)
in the sense of hard
Definition
firm, solid, or rigid
He stamped his feet on the hard floor.
Synonyms
tough,
strong,
firm,
solid,
stiff,
compact,
rigid,
resistant,
dense,
compressed,
stony,
impenetrable,
inflexible,
unyielding,
rocklike
in the sense of hard
Definition
unkind or unfeeling
His father was a hard man.
Synonyms
harsh,
severe,
strict,
cold,
exacting,
cruel,
grim,
stern,
ruthless,
stubborn,
unjust,
callous,
unkind,
unrelenting,
implacable,
unsympathetic,
pitiless,
unfeeling,
obdurate,
unsparing,
affectless,
hardhearted
in the sense of hard
Definition
showing or requiring a lot of effort or application
Coping with three babies is very hard work.
Synonyms
exhausting,
tough,
exacting,
formidable,
fatiguing,
wearying,
rigorous,
uphill,
gruelling,
strenuous,
arduous,
laborious,
burdensome,
Herculean,
backbreaking,
toilsome
in the sense of harsh
Definition
unkind and showing no understanding
He said many harsh and unkind things.
Synonyms
hard,
sharp,
severe,
bitter,
cruel,
stern,
unpleasant,
abusive,
unkind,
pitiless,
unfeeling
in the sense of heavy
Definition
hard to fulfil
They bear a heavy burden of responsibility.
Synonyms
onerous,
hard,
difficult,
severe,
harsh,
tedious,
intolerable,
oppressive,
grievous,
burdensome,
wearisome,
vexatious,
hevE
in the sense of inelegant
Definition
lacking elegance or refinement
The grand piano has been replaced with a small, inelegant model.She was conscious of how inelegant she looked.
Synonyms
clumsy,
awkward,
ungainly,
rough,
crude,
coarse,
crass,
gauche,
uncouth,
unrefined,
clunky (informal),
graceless,
uncultivated,
unpolished,
indelicate,
ungraceful
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inexorable
Definition
unable to be prevented from continuing or progressing
the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment
Synonyms
unrelenting,
relentless,
implacable,
hard,
severe,
harsh,
cruel,
adamant,
inescapable,
inflexible,
merciless,
unyielding,
immovable,
remorseless,
pitiless,
unbending,
obdurate,
ineluctable,
unappeasable
in the sense of intoxicating
intoxicating liquor
Synonyms
alcoholic,
strong,
intoxicant,
spirituous,
inebriant
in the sense of laborious
Definition
involving great exertion or prolonged effort
Keeping the garden tidy all year round can be a laborious task.
Synonyms
hard,
difficult,
tiring,
exhausting,
wearing,
tough,
fatiguing,
uphill,
strenuous,
arduous,
tiresome,
onerous,
burdensome,
herculean,
wearisome,
backbreaking,
toilsome (literary)
in the sense of oppressive
Definition
cruel, harsh, or tyrannical
The new laws will be as oppressive as those they replace.
Synonyms
tyrannical,
severe,
harsh,
heavy,
overwhelming,
cruel,
brutal,
authoritarian,
unjust,
repressive,
Draconian,
autocratic,
inhuman,
dictatorial,
coercive,
imperious,
domineering,
overbearing,
burdensome,
despotic,
high-handed,
peremptory,
overweening,
tyrannous
in the sense of pitiless
Definition
feeling no pity or mercy
He saw the pitiless eyes of his enemy.
Synonyms
merciless,
ruthless,
heartless,
harsh,
cruel,
brutal,
relentless,
callous,
inhuman,
inexorable,
implacable,
unsympathetic,
cold-blooded,
uncaring,
unfeeling,
cold-hearted,
unmerciful,
hardhearted
in the sense of powerful
tiny flowers with a powerful scent
Synonyms
intoxicating,
strong,
heady
in the sense of powerful
Definition
having great physical strength
a big, powerful man
Synonyms
strong,
strapping,
mighty,
robust,
vigorous,
potent,
energetic,
sturdy,
stalwart
in the sense of priggish
He was a priggish, self-righteous little sneak.
Synonyms
self-righteous,
smug,
stiff,
stuffy,
prim,
puritanical,
narrow-minded,
pedantic,
starchy (informal),
self-satisfied,
prudish,
goody-goody (informal),
holier-than-thou
in the sense of prim
Definition
affectedly proper, or formal, and rather prudish
We tend to imagine that the Victorians were very prim and proper.
Synonyms
prudish,
particular,
formal,
proper,
precise,
stiff,
fussy,
fastidious,
puritanical,
demure,
starchy (informal),
prissy,
strait-laced,
priggish,
anal retentive,
schoolmarmish (British, rare),
old-maidish (informal),
niminy-piminy (rare)
in the sense of reserved
Definition
not showing one's feelings
He was unemotional and reserved.
Synonyms
uncommunicative,
cold,
cool,
retiring,
formal,
silent,
modest,
shy,
cautious,
restrained,
secretive,
aloof,
reticent,
prim,
demure,
taciturn,
unresponsive,
unapproachable,
unsociable,
undemonstrative,
standoffish,
close-mouthed,
unforthcoming
Additional synonyms
in the sense of resolute
Definition
firm in purpose or belief
a decisive and resolute international leader
Synonyms
determined,
set,
firm,
dogged,
fixed,
constant,
bold,
relentless,
stubborn,
stalwart,
staunch,
persevering,
inflexible,
purposeful,
tenacious,
undaunted,
strong-willed,
steadfast,
obstinate,
unwavering,
immovable,
unflinching,
unbending,
unshakable,
unshaken
in the sense of rigid
Definition
physically unyielding or stiff
rigid plastic containers
Synonyms
stiff,
inflexible,
hard,
firm,
taut,
unbending,
inelastic
in the sense of rigorous
Definition
harsh, strict, or severe
rigorous military training
Synonyms
strict,
hard,
firm,
demanding,
challenging,
tough,
severe,
exacting,
harsh,
stern,
rigid,
stringent,
austere,
inflexible
in the sense of sharp
Definition
bitter or harsh
‘Don't criticize your mother,’ was his sharp reprimand.
Synonyms
cutting,
biting,
severe,
bitter,
harsh,
scathing,
acrimonious,
barbed,
hurtful,
sarcastic,
sardonic,
caustic,
vitriolic,
trenchant,
mordant,
mordacious,
acerb
in the sense of spirited
Definition
showing liveliness or courage
He wanted merely to provoke a spirited debate.
Synonyms
lively,
vigorous,
energetic,
animated,
game,
active,
bold,
sparkling,
have-a-go (informal),
courageous,
ardent,
feisty (informal),
plucky,
high-spirited,
sprightly,
vivacious,
spunky (informal),
mettlesome,
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
in the sense of starchy
Definition
(of a person's behaviour) very formal and humourless
The poses were starchy, the smiles a shade false.
Synonyms
formal,
stiff,
stuffy,
conventional,
precise,
prim,
punctilious (formal),
ceremonious
in the sense of steely
Their indecision had been replaced by steely determination.
Synonyms
determined,
firm,
dogged,
persevering,
resolute,
purposeful,
tenacious,
undaunted,
steadfast,
obstinate,
unwavering,
unflinching,
unbending,
unshakable,
unshaken
in the sense of stilted
Definition
(of speech, writing, or behaviour) formal or pompous
His delivery was stilted and occasionally stumbling.
Synonyms
stiff,
forced,
wooden,
laboured,
artificial,
inflated,
constrained,
unnatural,
high-flown,
pompous,
pretentious,
pedantic,
bombastic,
grandiloquent,
high-sounding,
arty-farty (informal),
fustian
in the sense of strict
Definition
(of a punishment, etc.) harsh or severe
French privacy laws are very strict.
Synonyms
severe,
harsh,
stern,
firm,
rigid,
rigorous,
stringent,
austere
in the sense of stringent
Definition
requiring strict attention to rules or detail
Its drug-testing procedures are the most stringent in the world.
Synonyms
strict,
tough,
rigorous,
demanding,
binding,
tight,
severe,
exacting,
rigid,
inflexible
Additional synonyms
in the sense of taut
Definition
stretched tight
When muscles are taut or cold, there is more chance of injury.
Synonyms
tense,
rigid,
tight,
stressed,
stretched,
strained,
flexed
in the sense of tense
Definition
stretched tight
She lay, eyes shut, body tense.
Synonyms
rigid,
strained,
taut,
stretched,
tight
in the sense of tight
Definition
stretched or drawn taut
Pull the elastic tight and knot the ends.
Synonyms
taut,
stretched,
tense,
rigid,
stiff
in the sense of tough
Definition
difficult or troublesome to do or deal with
Whoever wins the election is going to have a tough job.
Synonyms
hard,
difficult,
exhausting,
troublesome,
uphill,
strenuous,
arduous,
thorny,
laborious,
irksome
in the sense of trying
Definition
upsetting, difficult, or annoying
The whole business has been very trying.
Synonyms
annoying,
hard,
taxing,
difficult,
tough,
upsetting,
irritating,
fatiguing,
stressful,
aggravating (informal),
troublesome,
exasperating,
arduous,
tiresome,
vexing,
irksome,
wearisome,
bothersome
in the sense of unbending
Definition
rigid or inflexible
her unbending opposition to the old regime
Synonyms
inflexible,
strict,
rigid,
firm,
tough,
severe,
stubborn,
hardline,
uncompromising,
resolute,
intractable,
unyielding
in the sense of ungainly
Definition
lacking grace when moving
Paul swam in his ungainly way to the side of the pool.
Synonyms
awkward,
clumsy,
inelegant,
lumbering,
slouching,
gawky,
uncouth,
gangling,
loutish,
uncoordinated,
ungraceful,
lubberly (old-fashioned, rare),
unco (Australian, slang)
in the sense of ungraceful
Synonyms
clumsy,
laboured,
heavy,
ugly,
stiff,
awkward,
lumbering,
unnatural,
unwieldy,
ponderous,
ungainly,
gawky,
inelegant,
uncoordinated,
elephantine,
all thumbs,
unco (Australian, slang)
in the sense of unnatural
Definition
affected or forced
She gave him a bright, determined smile which seemed unnatural.
Synonyms
false,
forced,
artificial,
studied,
laboured,
affected,
assumed,
mannered,
strained,
stiff,
theatrical,
contrived,
self-conscious,
feigned,
stilted,
insincere,
factitious,
stagy,
phoney or phony (informal)
in the sense of unyielding
He sat on the edge of an unyielding armchair.
Synonyms
hard,
firm,
solid,
stiff,
inflexible,
unbending,
unmoving,
non-flexible,
unpliable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of uphill
Definition
requiring a great deal of effort
It had been an uphill struggle to achieve what she wanted.