stiffen
gb/stˈɪfən/ us/stˈɪfən/
B2
英语
义项
0 个义项
动词
B2
process
1
become or make physically stiff
to become stiff, or make something stiff, so it is hard to move
用法模式：
[someone/something] stiffens; [someone] stiffens [a body part]
常见错误：
Learners sometimes use "stiffen" when they mean "stiff" (adjective): say "My neck is stiff," not "My neck is stiffen."
近义词
tense (Often emphasizes tightening muscles from stress or emotion.)
|
rigidify (More formal and less common; focuses on becoming rigid.)
反义词
relax (Become less tense and easier to move.)
|
loosen (Become less tight or rigid.)
搭配
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
主题
body_health
|emotions
|daily_life
例句
- His shoulders stiffened when his name was called.
- My fingers stiffen in the cold if I forget my gloves.
- She stiffened her neck and tried to keep still during the exam.
学习者例句
- My back stiffened after the long flight.
- He stiffened when he heard a loud noise.
动词
B2
process
2
make material less flexible
to make something firmer and not bend easily
用法模式：
stiffen [material/object]
近义词
reinforce (Emphasizes adding strength or support, not just stiffness.)
|
harden (Often implies becoming harder or more solid, sometimes permanently.)
反义词
soften (Make less hard or less stiff.)
|
flexibilize (Rare; means make more flexible.)
搭配
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
主题
materials
|clothing
|home
例句
- She used spray starch to stiffen the shirt collar.
- Extra ribs were added to stiffen the plastic lid.
- The glue will stiffen the paper as it dries.
学习者例句
- Starch can stiffen fabric.
- The metal bar stiffens the frame.
动词
C1
state
3
become more formal or tense
to become tense and not relaxed
用法模式：
[situation/atmosphere] stiffens; [someone] stiffens [someone/something]
近义词
tense (Common; can describe feelings or situations, not only behavior.)
|
freeze (More dramatic; suggests sudden inability to respond naturally.)
反义词
ease (Become less tense or less uncomfortable.)
|
relax (Become calm and comfortable.)
搭配
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
主题
emotions
|relationships
|communication
例句
- The conversation stiffened when politics came up.
- Her smile stiffened as soon as she saw who was at the door.
- His sarcastic comment stiffened the mood in the room.
学习者例句
- The room stiffened when the boss arrived.
动词
C1
process
4
thicken or set a mixture
to become thick and firm, or make it thick and firm
用法模式：
[mixture] stiffens; stiffen [mixture/sauce]
近义词
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.)
反义词
thin (Make or become more liquid.)
|
liquefy (Become liquid.)
搭配
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
主题
food_cooking
例句
- Whisk the egg whites until they stiffen into peaks.
- Add a little cornstarch to stiffen the sauce.
- The pudding will stiffen as it cools.
学习者例句
- The sauce stiffened after a few minutes.
动词
C1
process
5
make more determined or resistant
to make someone feel more determined
用法模式：
stiffen [someone's] resolve; [someone] stiffens
近义词
strengthen (More general; not as vivid as stiffen.)
|
steel (Suggests preparing oneself emotionally for something difficult.)
反义词
weaken (Make less determined or less strong.)
|
undermine (Gradually reduce confidence or determination.)
搭配
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
主题
emotions
|personal_development
|conflict
例句
- The criticism only stiffened her resolve to succeed.
- They tried to intimidate him, but it stiffened his determination.
- Public outrage stiffened the government's stance.
学习者例句
- The loss stiffened their resolve.
动词
formal
C1
process
6
make rules or measures stricter
to make rules stricter and harder
用法模式：
stiffen [rules/penalties/measures/security]
近义词
tighten (Very common for rules and controls; less vivid than stiffen.)
|
toughen (Emphasizes becoming more severe or demanding.)
反义词
ease (Make less strict or less severe.)
|
relax (Reduce strictness of rules or controls.)
搭配
stiffen penalties
|stiffen regulations
|stiffen controls
|stiffen security
|stiffen enforcement
|stiffen requirements
|stiffen restrictions
|stiffen border checks
|stiffen sentencing
|stiffen oversight
主题
law
|government
|business
|security
例句
- The city plans to stiffen penalties for illegal dumping.
- After the incident, the company stiffened its security procedures.
- The regulator moved to stiffen enforcement of the new rules.
学习者例句
- They stiffened the rules at the airport.
动词
business
C2
process
7
become stronger or rise (markets)
to become stronger or higher (used about markets)
用法模式：
[prices/wages/demand/competition] stiffen
近义词
firm (Common in market language; means become stronger or higher.)
|
strengthen (General term for becoming stronger; less market-specific.)
反义词
weaken (Become less strong or lower in value.)
|
soften (Common market term for falling or losing strength.)
搭配
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
主题
business
|economy
例句
- Oil prices stiffened after the supply report.
- Competition stiffened as new brands entered the market.
- Demand has stiffened in the last quarter.
语法
词典原形
stiffen
IPA
GB/stˈɪfən/
US/stˈɪfən/
音节与重音
stiffen （1 个音节）
Stress on 1st syllable (stiffen)
词形变化
Verb
- Base: stiffen
- 3rd Person Singular: stiffens
- Present Participle: stiffening
- Past: stiffened
相关表达
stiffen one's spine
1/stˈɪfən wˈʌnz spˈaɪn/
idiom
become braver and more determined
to make yourself be brave
例句
- 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
例句
- 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
例句
- 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.
stiffen up
2/stˈɪfən ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
make something firmer or stricter
to make something stronger or stricter
例句
- They stiffened up the rules on refunds.
- Add another bracket to stiffen up the shelf.
- The airport stiffened up security after the alert.
stiffen with fear
1/stˈɪfən wˈɪθ fˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
freeze because of fear
to stop moving because you are afraid
例句
- 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.