stiffen

verb

/ˈstɪfn/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they stiffen	/ˈstɪfn/ /ˈstɪfn/
he / she / it stiffens	/ˈstɪfnz/ /ˈstɪfnz/
past simple stiffened	/ˈstɪfnd/ /ˈstɪfnd/
past participle stiffened	/ˈstɪfnd/ /ˈstɪfnd/
-ing form stiffening	/ˈstɪfnɪŋ/ /ˈstɪfnɪŋ/

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[intransitive, transitive] to make yourself or part of your body straight and still, especially because you are angry or frightened（尤指因气愤或害怕，使浑身或身体的一部分）变僵硬，变僵直，绷紧
- stiffen (with something) She stiffened with fear.她吓呆了。
- stiffen something (with something) I stiffened my back and faced him.我挺直了腰杆面对着他。
[intransitive, transitive] (of part of the body身体的一部分) to become, or to make something become, difficult to bend or move（使）难以弯曲，难以活动，发僵
- stiffen (up) My muscles had stiffened up after the climb.爬上去以后我肌肉都发僵了。
- stiffen something stiffened muscles发僵的肌肉
[transitive, intransitive] stiffen (something) to make an attitude or idea stronger or more powerful; to become stronger（使）变强硬，变坚定 synonym strengthen
- The threat of punishment has only stiffened their resolve (= made them even more determined to do something).惩罚的威胁益发坚定了他们的决心。
[transitive] stiffen something (with something) to make something, such as cloth, hard and unable to bend使硬挺

TOEFL BNC: 9112 COCA: 9758

stiffen

Not moving: still, static, stationary...