stock-still

Examples

• All

• As Humphries guided Amanda off to the bar, Pancho stood stock-still in the foyer.

  Fiction book (2001)

• The child stood stock still now, rigid with rage and coloring to the roots of her pale hair.

  Fiction book (1994)

• For all her eyes told her, they could have been standing stock still.

  Fiction book (1994)

• There appears to be a real bird standing stock still about 3 inches inside the trail.

  Blog text (28)

• I stood stock-still, unable to move, to speak, to wave, to scream.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Here and there in the crowd was one who stood stock still, like Thorp, as if dazed.

  Fiction book (1999)

• But she sat stock still, listening attentively with a small frown on her face.

  Fiction book (1999)

• As he passes the construction workers, they turn and stop, all alike in their hats, stock-still.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Not that he could remember his destination now, as he stood stock still and stared at her, his brain turned to jelly.

  Fiction book (1998)

• At the first command to stop, he stood stock-still and raised his hands.

Synonyms

S

still

vsstock-still

∞ 1.0

Not moving or making a sound

is narrower, used for total immobility rather than calm quietness

S

stationary

vsstock-still

46 2.9

Not moving and staying in one place

is more about complete immobility rather than merely fixed position

M

motionless

vsstock-still

41 3.0

Completely still with no movement, like a statue

is the same absolute stillness expressed in an informal way

I

in stasis

vsstock-still

12 8.1

Not moving or changing for a time

is narrower, referring to physical complete stillness rather than inactivity

A

at rest

vsstock-still

7 2.4

Someone or something that is quiet and still and not moving

is stricter, meaning total absence of movement rather than rest

U

unmoving

vsstock-still

1 2.2

Completely still and keeping the same position

is more focused on total, absolute lack of movement

M

moveless

vsstock-still

6.9

Completely still and not changing position

is essentially the same, stressing absolute absence of movement

S

stational

vsstock-still

• Archaic

9.2

Not moving and fixed in one place

is stronger, indicating complete absence of any movement

R

rooted

vsstock-still

5.5

Unable to move because of shock, fear, or surprise

is neutral and describes absolute stillness without emotional cause

Antonyms

A

active

664 1.0

Operating now and not stopped

M

moving

1 1.0

Not still and going from one place to another

How Still

stock-still

2 6.2

motionless

41 3.0

still

∞ 1.0

quiet

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology