stiffness
1
5.3
- noun
- /ˈstɪf.nəs/
:
inflexibilidad
- I think some of Romney's stiffness, robot demeanor, and smile-while-being-knifed look is the result of him trying to hide his true bugnuttiness.
Examples
-
She could tell by the stiffness of her mother's turned back that there was no point in pursuing it.
Fiction book (2002) -
"Heron says Seal Paw wasn't my father." "What else does she say?" He heard the stiffness in her voice, felt the growing tension.
Fiction book (1990) -
He ignored the stiffness that was her one show of resistance.
Fiction book (1994) -
She smiled easily and seemed at ease, but apparently she hadn't been able to take the stiffness out of her husband.
Fiction book (2000) -
"How could you do it, Nelson?" she asks lamely, limply, all of Bessie Springer's righteous stiffness scared out of her.
Fiction book (1990) -
"Now, Judy," he says, trying to keep any stiffness of fear from his voice, yet speaking loudly lest the dazzling amplitudes of space suck all sense from his words, "we can't keep going forever in this direction or we'll wind up in Mexico."
Fiction book (1990) -
My protective coloration, the formality and stiffness of the proper Victorian gentleman, instinctively (and quite pompously) groused to my defense: "Why, I can't imagine ..."
Fiction book (1990) -
"Thank you," Jess heard the stiffness in her voice.
-
His face betrayed nothing, but I sensed a stiffness there.
-
As soon as our dealings with one another become public or official, however, stiffness and rigidity immediately set in.
Synonyms
11
6.4
Being very strict and harsh when judging or punishing people
7
7.0
Very strict and unwilling to change rules or plans
6
4.1
Very severe or unkind treatment that causes harm
5
3.5
Being steady and determined in words and actions
4
7.2
The quality of being very strict in rules or discipline that allows little freedom
4
6.3
Lack of feeling or kindness in someone's behavior
3
3.4
Being very firm about rules and making people follow them
3
6.9
Refusing to change ideas or plans
1
5.1
A strict, serious attitude that does not allow bad behavior
1
8.2
A harsh, unkind way of speaking or acting
1
7.6
A way of acting that refuses to change your mind because of feelings or others' views
1
7.4
A feeling of being tense and nervous that makes it hard to relax
A refusal to change an opinion or action despite pressure
Being very strong and determined without showing emotion
A strict way of thinking that does not change
Being very strict and careful about rules or details
Being very strict about rules and making people follow them
Being very strict and harsh toward other people
A strong need for things to be done very carefully with attention to small details
Antonyms
How Rigid
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Stiffness comes from stiff plus -ness ('quality'), and stiff often meant 'firm' or 'unbending' in behavior. So stiffness can mean the 'quality' of being strict or severe, which explains its use for a strict attitude or way of acting.