stiffen
gb/stˈɪfən/ us/stˈɪfən/
B2
English
megmerevedik, megmerevít, merevít, keményít, feszültté válik, besűrűsödik, besűrít, megerősít, megerősödik, szigorít, emelkedik, kiéleződik, élénkül
VERB
B2
1
megmerevedik
B2
megmerevít
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] stiffens; [someone] stiffens [a body part]
His shoulders stiffened when his name was called.
Megmerevedett a válla, amikor kimondták a nevét.
My fingers stiffen in the cold if I forget my gloves.
Elgémberednek az ujjaim a hidegben, ha otthon felejtem a kesztyűmet.
She stiffened her neck and tried to keep still during the exam.
Learner examples
My back stiffened after the long flight.
A hosszú repülőút után megmerevedett a hátam.
He stiffened when he heard a loud noise.
Megmerevedett, amikor hangos zajt hallott.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "stiffen" when they mean "stiff" (adjective): say "My neck is stiff," not "My neck is stiffen."
Meaning
become or make physically stiff
Collocations
stiffen with age
|stiffen with cold
|stiffen with fear
|stiffen suddenly
|stiffen at the sound
|stiffen your neck
|stiffen your back
|muscles stiffen
|joints stiffen
|his body stiffened
Synonyms
tense (Often emphasizes tightening muscles from stress or emotion.)
|
rigidify (More formal and less common; focuses on becoming rigid.)
Antonyms
relax (Become less tense and easier to move.)
|
loosen (Become less tight or rigid.)
Themes
body_health
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
to become stiff, or make something stiff, so it is hard to move
To become stiff and hard to move, or to make a body or body part stiff, often because of cold, fear, age, or injury.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
stiffen [material/object]
She used spray starch to stiffen the shirt collar.
Keményítősprayt használt, hogy kimerevítse az ing gallérját.
Extra ribs were added to stiffen the plastic lid.
Plusz bordákat adtak hozzá, hogy merevítsék a műanyag fedelet.
The glue will stiffen the paper as it dries.
Learner examples
Starch can stiffen fabric.
A keményítő merevebbé teheti az anyagot.
The metal bar stiffens the frame.
A fémrúd merevíti a keretet.
Meaning
make material less flexible
Collocations
stiffen fabric
|stiffen paper
|stiffen leather
|stiffen the collar
|stiffen the brim
|stiffen the structure
|stiffen the frame
|stiffen the beam
|stiffen the backing
|stiffen with starch
Synonyms
reinforce (Emphasizes adding strength or support, not just stiffness.)
|
harden (Often implies becoming harder or more solid, sometimes permanently.)
Antonyms
soften (Make less hard or less stiff.)
|
flexibilize (Rare; means make more flexible.)
Themes
materials
|clothing
|home
Definition
to make something firmer and not bend easily
To make a material or structure firmer or less flexible, often by adding support or a substance such as starch or resin.
VERB
C1
3
megmerevedik
B2
Usage pattern:
[situation/atmosphere] stiffens; [someone] stiffens [someone/something]
The conversation stiffened when politics came up.
A beszélgetés feszültebbé vált, amikor szóba került a politika.
Her smile stiffened as soon as she saw who was at the door.
A mosolya megmerevedett, amint meglátta, ki áll az ajtóban.
His sarcastic comment stiffened the mood in the room.
Learner examples
The room stiffened when the boss arrived.
Feszültté vált a légkör, amikor megérkezett a főnök.
Meaning
become more formal or tense
Collocations
the atmosphere stiffened
|the conversation stiffened
|a stiffened smile
|his expression stiffened
|stiffen the mood
|stiffen into silence
|stiffen at the mention of
|stiffen when
|the room stiffened
|relations stiffened
Synonyms
tense (Common; can describe feelings or situations, not only behavior.)
|
freeze (More dramatic; suggests sudden inability to respond naturally.)
Antonyms
ease (Become less tense or less uncomfortable.)
|
relax (Become calm and comfortable.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
Definition
to become tense and not relaxed
To become, or cause someone to become, less relaxed or friendly; to grow tense, formal, or uncomfortable.
VERB
C1
4
besűrűsödik
B2
besűrít
B1
Usage pattern:
[mixture] stiffens; stiffen [mixture/sauce]
Whisk the egg whites until they stiffen into peaks.
Verd a tojásfehérjét, amíg kemény habot nem kapsz.
Add a little cornstarch to stiffen the sauce.
Adj hozzá egy kevés kukoricakeményítőt, hogy besűrítsd a szószt.
The pudding will stiffen as it cools.
Learner examples
The sauce stiffened after a few minutes.
A szósz néhány perc után besűrűsödött.
Meaning
thicken or set a mixture
Collocations
egg whites stiffen
|whip until stiffened
|stiffen the sauce
|stiffen the mixture
|stiffen with cornstarch
|stiffen with flour
|stiffen with gelatin
|the custard stiffened
|stiffen the frosting
|stiffen the cream
Synonyms
thicken (Focuses on becoming less liquid; not always firm enough to hold shape.)
|
set (Often used when a mixture becomes firm as it cools or stands.)
Antonyms
thin (Make or become more liquid.)
|
liquefy (Become liquid.)
Themes
food_cooking
Definition
to become thick and firm, or make it thick and firm
In cooking, to become thicker or hold its shape, or to make a mixture thicker or firmer.
VERB
C1
5
megerősít
B1
megerősödik
B1
Usage pattern:
stiffen [someone's] resolve; [someone] stiffens
The criticism only stiffened her resolve to succeed.
A bírálat csak megerősítette abban az elhatározásában, hogy sikerrel járjon.
They tried to intimidate him, but it stiffened his determination.
Megpróbálták megfélemlíteni, de ez csak megerősítette az elszántságát.
Public outrage stiffened the government's stance.
Learner examples
The loss stiffened their resolve.
A vereség megerősítette az elhatározásukat.
Meaning
make more determined or resistant
Collocations
stiffen resolve
|stiffen resistance
|stiffen determination
|stiffen their stance
|stiffen their will
|stiffen opposition
|stiffen morale
|stiffen in response
|stiffen against pressure
|stiffen after criticism
Synonyms
strengthen (More general; not as vivid as stiffen.)
|
steel (Suggests preparing oneself emotionally for something difficult.)
Antonyms
weaken (Make less determined or less strong.)
|
undermine (Gradually reduce confidence or determination.)
Themes
emotions
|personal_development
|conflict
Definition
to make someone feel more determined
To make someone more determined, brave, or resistant to pressure, or to become more determined.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
6
szigorít
B2
Usage pattern:
stiffen [rules/penalties/measures/security]
The city plans to stiffen penalties for illegal dumping.
A város azt tervezi, hogy szigorítja az illegális hulladéklerakásért járó büntetéseket.
After the incident, the company stiffened its security procedures.
Az incidens után a cég szigorította a biztonsági eljárásait.
The regulator moved to stiffen enforcement of the new rules.
Learner examples
They stiffened the rules at the airport.
Szigorították a szabályokat a repülőtéren.
Meaning
make rules or measures stricter
Collocations
stiffen penalties
|stiffen regulations
|stiffen controls
|stiffen security
|stiffen enforcement
|stiffen requirements
|stiffen restrictions
|stiffen border checks
|stiffen sentencing
|stiffen oversight
Synonyms
tighten (Very common for rules and controls; less vivid than stiffen.)
|
toughen (Emphasizes becoming more severe or demanding.)
Antonyms
ease (Make less strict or less severe.)
|
relax (Reduce strictness of rules or controls.)
Themes
law
|government
|business
|security
Definition
to make rules stricter and harder
To make rules, penalties, controls, or security measures stricter, harsher, or harder to avoid.
VERB
C2
BUSINESS
7
Usage pattern:
[prices/wages/demand/competition] stiffen
Oil prices stiffened after the supply report.
Az ellátási jelentés után emelkedtek az olajárak.
Competition stiffened as new brands entered the market.
Kiéleződött a verseny, ahogy új márkák léptek be a piacra.
Demand has stiffened in the last quarter.
Meaning
become stronger or rise (markets)
Collocations
prices stiffen
|wages stiffen
|demand stiffens
|competition stiffens
|the market stiffened
|stiffen in late trading
|stiffen over time
|stiffen slightly
|stiffen on expectations
|conditions stiffen
Synonyms
firm (Common in market language; means become stronger or higher.)
|
strengthen (General term for becoming stronger; less market-specific.)
Antonyms
weaken (Become less strong or lower in value.)
|
soften (Common market term for falling or losing strength.)
Themes
business
|economy
Definition
to become stronger or higher (used about markets)
In business and finance, to become stronger or less weak, especially when prices, demand, or competition increase.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stiffen
IPA
GB/stˈɪfən/
US/stˈɪfən/
Syllables & stress
stiffen (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stiffen)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: stiffen
- 3rd Person Singular: stiffens
- Present Participle: stiffening
- Past: stiffened
Expressions
stiffen one's spine
1/stˈɪfən wˈʌnz spˈaɪn/
idiom
become braver and more determined
to make yourself be brave
Examples
- She stiffened her spine and told them the truth.
- He tried to stiffen his spine before walking into the meeting.
- The coach's speech stiffened the team's spine.
stiffen the upper lip
1/stˈɪfən ðə ˈʌpɚ lˈɪp/
fixed phrase
hide feelings; stay unemotional
to not show your feelings, even when it is hard
Examples
- He tried to stiffen his upper lip and get through the funeral.
- She told herself to stiffen her upper lip and keep going.
- The phrase 'stiffen the upper lip' is often linked with British culture.
stiffen up
1/stˈɪfən ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
become physically stiff or tense
to become stiff or tense
Examples
- I always stiffen up if I sit still for too long.
- He stiffened up when the interviewer asked about his last job.
- Her legs stiffened up in the cold wind.
Learner examples
- My shoulders stiffen up when I am stressed.
stiffen up
2/stˈɪfən ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
make something firmer or stricter
to make something stronger or stricter
Examples
- They stiffened up the rules on refunds.
- Add another bracket to stiffen up the shelf.
- The airport stiffened up security after the alert.
Learner examples
- We need to stiffen up the safety rules.
stiffen with fear
1/stˈɪfən wˈɪθ fˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
freeze because of fear
to stop moving because you are afraid
Examples
- He stiffened with fear when he heard footsteps behind him.
- I stiffened with fear as the dog ran toward me.
- She stiffened with fear but tried not to show it.
Learner examples
- I stiffened with fear.