stiffenverb
uk/ˈstɪf.ən/us/ˈstɪf.ən/stiffen verb (FIRM)
[ I ] to become firm or more difficult to bend:
Beat the cream until it begins to stiffen (= become firm).
His body stiffened in fear.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Tight and tightening
- close-fitting
- fast
- serried
- skinny
- snug
- strain
- taut
- tauten
- tense
- tension
- tight
- tighten
- tighten sth up
- tightly
- up
- vice-like
stiffen verb (LESS RELAXED)
[ I ] to become less relaxed and more formal:
She stiffened when her former husband walked into the room.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Tight and tightening
- close-fitting
- fast
- serried
- skinny
- snug
- strain
- taut
- tauten
- tense
- tension
- tight
- tighten
- tighten sth up
- tightly
- up
- vice-like
stiffen verb (MORE SEVERE)
[ I or T ] to become or make something stronger or more difficult:
These events have stiffened our resolve to succeed.
Penalties for selling illegal drugs have been stiffened.
Stiffening competition in the market has led to a reduction in the company's profits this year.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Becoming and making stronger
- aggrandize
- boil
- boil up
- bolster
- cement
- concentrate
- concentrated
- dial
- fortify
- fuel
- gel
- harden
- jell
- power (sth) up
- reignite
- take hold idiom
- that'll put hairs on your chest! idiom
- tighten
- tighten sth up
- toughen
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