stiff-arm

1 of 2

verb

ˈstif-ˌärm 

stiff-armed; stiff-arming; stiff-arms

intransitive verb

: straight-arm

transitive verb

1

: straight-arm

2

: to treat with disdain or neglect : slight, snub

The downside of stiff-arming the press is that reporters bear a grudge …

—Fred Barnes

stiff-arm

2 of 2

noun

: straight-arm

Synonyms of stiff-arm

Verb

• isolate
• stiff
• reject
• repulse
• cut
• cold-shoulder
• repel
• snub
• slight

Examples of stiff-arm in a Sentence

Verb

in his sad and lonely old age, he stiff-armed even once-beloved friends

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Gordon ran with a head of steam through the opening and stiff-armed veteran safety Harrison Smith at the next level to scoot down the sideline. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

In the season opener against Denver, Johnson delivered a 25-yard catch and stiff-arm that helped set up Walker’s second touchdown in a 31-10 Chiefs win. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Dart finished that run by winding up a big stiff-arm for Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg #84 of the Wyoming Cowboys stiff-arms cornerback Noah Avinger #1 of the New Mexico Lobos during the first half of a game at University Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stiff-arm

• alarm
• disarm
• forearm
• gendarme
• nonfarm
• rearm
• arm
• charm
• farm
• harm
• firearm
• underarm