stiff-necked

adjective

ˈstif-ˈnekt How to pronounce stiff-necked (audio)
Definition of stiff-neckednext
1
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude he was too stiff-necked to admit that "underlings" might have useful ideas

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details her dinner parties are typically stiff-necked affairs, more to be endured than enjoyed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion obviously uninterested in hearing any excuses, the stiff-necked officer handed me my speeding ticket with a flourish

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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-necked But some Jews stubbornly refused to assimilate and continued the sometimes strange and stiff-necked traditions of our people. — TIME, 11 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stiff-necked
  1. arrogant
  2. formal
  3. stubborn
  4. correct
  5. adamant
  6. stiff
  7. nice
  8. solemn
Adjective
  • Each of these decisions laid the groundwork for the war on Iran today, one that started without a clear strategy on the arrogant expectation of a quick victory.
    — Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The data center industry is only one face of an arrogant oligarchy that people believe now runs Congress, the courts, the White House, state legislatures and local governments.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Early acting career Although Turner had no formal training, his raw talent soon caught the eye of several television directors.
    — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • When the Soviet Union collapsed, NATO lost its formal justification.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • Speaking in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late last week, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh highlighted his worries about stubborn inflation .
    — Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Knight set up Darby on a table and hit a springboard clothesline on the stubborn announce table.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • Processor defenses leave a tiny opening Modern processors improve performance by predicting which path a program is likely to follow and beginning the work before the correct path is confirmed.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Officials said the school also improved its graduation rate from 75% to 95% and its faculty saw in the number holding the proper credentials — from 43 to more than 90 who have the correct subject matter licenses.
    — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of correct
Adjective
  • Her mom handmade her dress Parton was adamant about having her mom, Avie Lee Parton, present for her nuptials.
    — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But Coppola was adamant, and Eastman used her leverage to help secure Pacino’s place.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of adamant
Adjective
  • Schmidt, who hasn’t pitched in a big league game since July 3 of last year, can’t wait to face stiffer competition out of the Yankees’ bullpen before the season ends.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Meet Shape Set—Olaplex’s answer to crunchy, stiff formulas of years past.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of stiff
Adjective
  • This one is a nice pick for yourself or someone else who wants to try a handful of trending beauty brands to find their new holy grail products.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The brown one’s okay, but purple — looking royal — that’d be nice.
    — Maria Bamford, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner made a solemn pledge to never stop trying.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Both are powerful spots of natural beauty and deep cultural significance, but for a less solemn outing, the little islet of Ojima sits neatly between the two.
    — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of solemn

Browse Nearby Words

stiffly
stiff-necked
stiffness
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Cite this Entry

“Stiff-necked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stiff-necked. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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