stiffen
[ stif-uh n ]
/ ˈstɪf ən /
verb (used with object)
to make stiff.
verb (used without object)
to become stiff.
to become suddenly tense, rigid, or taut, as in bracing oneself for or drawing back from shock, fear, or displeasure: He stiffened, expecting to hear the worst.
OTHER WORDS FROM stiffen
o·ver·stiff·en, verb un·stiff·ened, adjectiveWords nearby stiffen
stiff as a board,
stiff upper lip,
stiff-arm,
stiff-man syndrome,
stiff-necked,
stiffen,
stiffener,
stiffy,
stifle,
stifling,
stigma
Example sentences from the Web for stiffened
British Dictionary definitions for stiffened
stiffen
/ (ˈstɪfən) /
verb
to make or become stiff or stiffer
(intr)
to become suddenly tense or unyielding