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
  • Because this wasn’t a traditional sit-down dinner, there wasn’t one formal tablescape.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The firearms retailer never got any formal complaints at that location, according to city officials in Goleta, an affluent Santa Barbara County coastal town.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 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
  • Dallas was then left with the decision to risk him on waivers, but the decision to do it on Monday rather than Sunday ended up being the correct move to get him back in Dallas.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Last week’s guest subscriber, Manchester United fan Matt from London, predicted six correct results out of 10 to send the readers to the top of the table.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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
  • For drawings in ink the paper sits on a table; for metalpoint it is attached with pushpins to a stiff board, which rests on an easel.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As the disease progresses, people can develop a stiff neck, seizures and coma.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 Sep. 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 slow chimes of Big Ben sounded, and then the newsreader’s solemn voice with the headlines.
    — Helen Simpson, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In addition, the new king will receive a solemn ecclesiastical blessing in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.
    — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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