Examples of stiffen in a Sentence
She stiffened when he grabbed her shoulder.
The dogs stiffened in alarm.
The law would stiffen penalties for tax evasion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Salt dries into white rings, while melting snow can cause uneven water stains that stiffen leather, dull suede, and discolor fabric.
—
Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
Cream of tartar or 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice can be used to help the meringue stiffen.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
Also, imperceptibly at first, aerobic capacity begins to lessen, flexibility decreases, ligaments stiffen.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Michael Carroll’s son stiffened — a cold jolt running through him — when his shovel struck what looked like rags and bones in the basement on Halloween eve 2018.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Stiffen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stiffen. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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