stiffen

Pronunciation: /ˈstɪfən/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb become stiff or stiffer
  2. verb make stiff or stiffer
  3. verb restrict

Etymology

From Middle English stifnen, equivalent to stiff + -en.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
change
Narrower (hyponyms)
rigidify
Opposite (antonyms)
loosen

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