stiff-arm

verb

ˈstif-ˌärm How to pronounce stiff-arm (audio)
Definition of stiff-armnext
as in to isolate
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely in his sad and lonely old age, he stiff-armed even once-beloved friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stiff-arm The next game, stiff-arming guys. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026 After stiff-arming challengers on the front 9, Cink played free and easy. — Jay Paris, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026 The 24-song set reeled in an impressive 280,000 equivalent album units, stiff-arming a surging Bad Bunny from pole position. — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 19 Feb. 2026 Indiana kept its circle tight and held its belief tighter, stiff-arming infiltrators and doubters with equal authority. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stiff-arm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff-arm
  1. isolate
  2. stiff
  3. reject
  4. repulse
  5. cut
  6. cold-shoulder
  7. repel
  8. snub
Verb
  • We are constantly connected, yet often isolated, each with our own voice while genuine dialogue can be hard to achieve.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • After the man arrived in Nairobi, his relatives took him in a private vehicle to Nairobi Hospital, where he was immediately isolated.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of isolate
Verb
  • Primitive feathers O’Connor said some of the feathers looked highly similar to those present today in modern birds, with a central spine having a square cross section that would have helped make the feather stiff yet lightweight.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But, no, the Kittrells attempted to stiff their creditors entirely by way of their Children's Trust.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of stiff
Verb
  • But Moscow has rejected a ceasefire, saying a comprehensive peace deal must be agreed rather than a temporary truce.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The groups behind the #BlockTheMerger coalition, which had amassed more than 5,700 signatories from actors, filmmakers and industry workers opposed to the deal, filed a brief with the court urging Martínez-Olguín to reject the settlement.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of reject
Verb
  • Her widowed aunt plays chaperone as Susanna attends heady lectures and repulses her many suitors.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Young people just aren’t interested, partly because they’re repulsed by bodily fluids.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of repulse
Verb
  • For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Staff cut raw chicken and then proceeded to cut lamb without washing, rinsing and sanitizing cutting boards and prep tables.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • One cringe-inducing scene shows George Michael literally cold-shoulder the esteemed director.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 28 July 2026
  • Consignment stores rely on stocking items that feel current, so anything that screams a specific past era—think cold-shoulder tops or a bandage dress—isn’t likely to make the cut.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
Definition of cold-shoulder
Verb
  • The wax repels liquid water but keeps tiny pores, so vapor can still escape.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The law prohibits federal officials from stationing troops or armed personnel at polling places, except when necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States.
    — TIME Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of repel
Verb
  • At one point, McLoughlin even snubbed Sylvester Stallone, another Kennedy Center Honoree who had wandered into the bar.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Industry opposition already watered down one anti-smuggling bill, Bloomberg noted, and Huang recently snubbed a congressional invitation to testify on the problem.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of snub

Browse Nearby Words

stiff
stiff-arm
stiff-armed
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Cite this Entry

“Stiff-arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-arm. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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