stiffness

Definition of stiffnessnext

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stiffness That double-helix structure is the secret to the tusk’s remarkable stiffness and strength, with the flexible fibers and stiff mineral matrix enabling the tusk to withstand strong forces, like bending and twisting without cracking. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 In December 2022, Dion announced she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle stiffness and painful spasms. Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 The National Cancer Institute (NCI) lists lasting pain or discomfort, along with arm and shoulder pain and stiffness, among the possible risks of mastectomy. Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026 Pain, swelling around a joint, and stiffness in the muscles or ligaments around the joint are just some reasons movement may become restricted. Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026 Aston Martin Valen Aston Martin The Valen uses increased front and rear lateral stiffness, reducing body roll and pitch while making the car feel more agile. Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Its lightweight formula gives strands body without stiffness, while ingredients like seaweed and arginine support the hair’s overall health. Iman Balagam, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026 Latent symptoms frequently develop after the fact, manifesting as spinal soreness, neck stiffness, inflammation, wrist trauma from breaking the fall, hip discomfort, or concussion indicators such as disorientation, nausea, and photophobia. Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 In addition to heart rate, calories burned, distance, duration, elevation, and speed, Samsung smartwatches track advanced running form metrics, including asymmetry, contact time, flight time, regularity, vertical oscillation, and stiffness. Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiffness
Noun
  • That was the Cubs’ only runner in scoring position until a defensive indifference allowed Seiya Suzuki to advance to second after a two-out walk in the ninth.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Twenty-seven percent showed indifference, however, possibly demonstrating that most voters would be fine supporting them in a general election, said Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California.
    Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The book’s occasional oases of self-examination are surrounded by dusty expanses of omission and unconcern.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
  • Whatever the reason, Maxwell’s strength and the shark’s apparent unconcern put one of Maxwell’s friends in danger.
    Donald Millus, Outdoor Life, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Did the baby’s livingness make Tomm’s deadness louder?
    Maria Zorn, Longreads, 24 Feb. 2026
  • There is, in the end, a deadness to its clichés about writers and their subjects.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The best rocks are hard, non-porous rocks with a non-gritty surface, ideally a seven on the Mohs’ hardness scale.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In this form, boron nitride becomes what scientists call a superhard material, second in hardness to diamond.
    Robin Macaluso, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • What the rise of 'chalance' says about dating People have equated aloofness with coolness since long before the internet came around.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • My fear manifested as aloofness.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • The music recalled the angst and coldness of Carpenter’s movie scores but with more robust arrangements, buttressed by Davies’ guitar.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Orris adds earthy depth, while a petrichor accord gives the scent an eerie coldness.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 15 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stiffness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiffness. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on stiffness

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster