stiffly
25
4.4
- adverb
- /ˈstɪfli/
:
rígidamente
- "Mary came to her feet stiffly as if she hadn't moved in hours, and perhaps she hadn't.
- sitting stiffly
I am Matt Welch, sitting stiffly in a room at an L-shaped table, as either Peter or Catherine recently pointed out.
- I am Matt Welch, sitting stiffly in a room at an L-shaped table, as either Peter or Catherine recently pointed out.
Examples
-
In the vintage shop window, a plasticized couple stiffly dressed in fifties formal wear stared imperiously over her head.
Fiction book (1990) -
The bridesmaids passed down the aisle, smiling stiffly, balancing garlands on their heads.
Fiction book (1991) -
When I kiss them, they stand stiffly and try not to show their wish to draw away.
Fiction book (1991) -
"Lucy was sitting stiffly on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor."
Fiction book (1990) -
Flags on top of ministry buildings stood out stiffly on their poles.
Fiction book (1991) -
He had held himself stiffly so as not to shrink from the noise.
-
"Cynthia hung up the phone and walked stiffly over to her truck.
Fiction book (1991) -
Bingham settled back stiffly, like at the dentist or at the hairdresser.
Fiction book (1991) -
Jacob, carrying a bag of McDonald's hamburgers, walks stiffly through the aisles, his left hand rubbing his back.
Fiction book (1990) -
The bridesmaids passed down the aisle, smiling stiffly, balancing garlands on their heads.
Synonyms
11
4.3
In a strict way that does not allow change
3
3.9
In a nervous, worried way that shows stress
1
7.3
In a stiff, awkward way that shows no feeling
1
8.8
In a stiff, formal way that does not feel natural
1
6.7
In an upright way with a straight back
In a stiff, jerky way with sudden, clumsy movements
In a serious, calm way without showing excitement
Antonyms
How Stiff
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word stiffly comes from the simple word stiff, which once meant 'strong' or 'firm' in an old German word, plus the ending -ly that makes it describe how something is done. So to move or speak stiffly is to do it 'rigid' or 'not relaxed', and that is exactly how we use the word today.