rigid applies to something so stiff that it cannot be bent without breaking.
a rigid surfboard
inflexible stresses lack of suppleness or pliability.
ski boots with inflexible soles
Example Sentences
Adjective When I got out of bed this morning my back was stiff as a board. Beat the egg whites until they are stiff. Noun That poor stiff never gets a break. They have the kind of luxuries the average working stiff can't afford. Verb the actress has a reputation for stiffing the press at red-carpet events
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In adapting the Makos novel, screenwriters Jake Crane and Jonathan A. H. Stewart seem to be content to trot out the usual war picture platitudes with stiff dialogue that has all the personality of an instruction manual. Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Sep. 2022 The room is House & Garden–elegant; Alan reclines in a mid-century chair and gazes at Sam, who sits, stiff and uncomfortable, on the edge of the leather couch. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2022 If the hip joint becomes stiff—from arthritis, for example, or a recent injury that caused inflammation—then the sliding and gliding movement can become restricted and create resistance that your glutes has to work against. Jenny Mccoy, SELF, 10 Sep. 2022 But Truss’ public performance to date has been somewhat stiff and formal, short on the kind of stirring oratory at which both Blair and Johnson excelled. Christina Boyle, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 British nationals in South Florida released their stiff upper lips on Thursday upon learning their beloved Queen Elizabeth died at age 96 after 70 years on the throne. Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Add the powdered sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Alexis Deboschnek, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2022 Hainsworth is quite good as Miss Holmes — suitably cerebral and stiff, with understated physical tics that suggest a constantly active mind. Emily Mcclanathan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 President Biden promoted recent legislative wins in a bid to boost support for Democrats and overcome stiff economic headwinds as Labor Day kicked off the final sprint of midterm-election campaigning. Catherine Lucey, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022
Adverb
And the effort required to lope stiff-legged across the powdery surface guzzled the air and cooling water in his backpack, limiting his time outside the relative safety of the lunar module.Outside Online, 23 June 2021 But so far Brill has gotten stiff-armed by social media platforms. Jeffrey M. O'brien, Fortune, 2 June 2022 But the Auburn running back stiff-armed the Bucs and signed with Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 22 Apr. 2022 Dogs go through stages in their life, just as people do, as is obvious to anyone who has watched their stiff-legged companion rouse themselves to go for one more walk. James Gorman, Star Tribune, 14 Nov. 2020 Montgomery found a wide crease between right guard James Daniels and right tackle Germain Ifedi, cut back and burst through the hole, stiff-arming former Chicago Bears first-round pick Leonard Floyd and racing into the secondary. Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, 18 Sep. 2021 Thomas drew a loud response from the crowd after breaking loose for a 28-yard carry and stiff-arming an opponent late in the third quarter. J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, 20 Aug. 2021 That’s piling up postseason wins, stiff-arming adversity and grinding through against the best mound minders in baseball.San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2021 Fifty years ago, Germans goose-stepped in exacting regimentation, stiff-armed salutes sanctifying der Fuhrer. Bob Larsen, SPIN, 12 Feb. 2022
Noun
When Chubb sees a cutback lane or drops a stiff-arm, when Hunt breaks through the defensive line and hits the second level, a Browns bar can’t help itself. Doug Lesmerises, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 At one bruising point during the drive, Allen finished an eight-yard run with a brutal stiff-arm of Nick Scott. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Mixon attempted a cut and a stiff-arm on the star safety. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2022 Wuerffel had already picked up the stiff-arm trophy by that time, securing 300 first-place votes and 1,363 points to beat out Iowa State running back Troy Davis (209, 1,174). Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 12 Aug. 2022 What seems most unlikely, however, is that top players will band together to stiff-arm the Saudis on principle. Beth Ann Nichols, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2022 Football fans probably didn’t need a rating system to recognize Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill as the fastest player in the NFL or Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry as the possessor of the league’s toughest stiff-arm. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 22 July 2022 If the Emmy Drama Roundtable proves anything, it’s that even the stars of TV’s buzziest shows are familiar with the indignities of the working stiff. Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2022 Dodgers star Mookie Betts got the day off Wednesday because of a stiff lower back but is expected to play Friday vs. Washington. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 8 Apr. 2021
Verb
The student looking to go into nursing is less likely to stiff the taxpayer than the one looking to be a sociologist.WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 That may progress to stiff neck, seizures, hallucinations and coma. Wyatte Grantham-philips, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 That was necessary when shoes had leather or vinyl elements that might stretch and stiff sole materials that needed to mold to your foot. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 8 July 2022 The history of mergers and acquisitions is filled with ruthless corporate raiders, bruising wars of words and people trying to stiff each other.New York Times, 20 May 2022 Egg whites are beaten to stiff peaks and then fine almond flour, powdered sugar, and flavorings are folded into the meringue carefully to avoid deflation and dry pockets. Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 15 Apr. 2022 In another medium bowl, beat heavy cream to stiff peaks, then fold into mascarpone mixture. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 13 Feb. 2022 Fortunately, fashion now offers many unstuffy alternatives to stiff Oxfords. Jamie Waters, WSJ, 8 Feb. 2022 Boston’s Kevin McHale stiff armed him in the neck area, leaving Rambis flat on his back.New York Times, 24 Dec. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English stif, from Old English stīf; akin to Middle Dutch stijf stiff, Latin stipare to press together, Greek steibein to tread on
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a