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stiffen

intermediateB1

/ˈstɪfən/ · stif-fen

to make or become stiff or rigid.

Meanings

verbformal

to make or become stiff or rigid.

سخت یا اکڑا ہوا بنانا یا ہونا۔

سخت کرنا

sakht karna

Synonyms

firm upsolidifyrigidifyمضبوط کرناچٹان بنانااکڑنا

Antonyms

loosensoftenweakenڈھیلا کرنانرم کرناکمزور کرنا

Common Collocations

  • stiffen the muscles
  • stiffen policy
  • stiffen resolve

Example Sentences

He tried to stiffen his resolve during the negotiation.

اس نے مذاکرات کے دوران اپنے ارادے کو سخت کرنے کی کوشش کی۔

Us ne mubaahisaat ke dauran apne iraade ko sakht karne ki koshish ki.

The cold weather caused her muscles to stiffen.

سرد موسم نے اس کے پٹھوں کو سخت کر دیا۔

Sard mausam ne us ke patthon ko sakht kar diya.

They needed to stiffen the security measures after the incident.

واقعے کے بعد انہیں حفاظتی اقدامات کو سخت کرنے کی ضرورت تھی۔

Waqe ke baad unhein hifazati iqdaamaat ko sakht karne ki zaroorat thi.

Easily Confused With

stiffen:Stiffen means to make rigid, while soften means to make pliable or less rigid.

Word Family

stiff
adjectiveسخت
stiffness
nounسختی

See Also

💡 Memory Tip

Think of how stiff a statue is.

A stiff board that cannot bend.

✍️ Urdu Poetry

ہزاروں خواہشیں ایسی کہ ہر خواہش پہ دم نکلے

Hazaaron khwahishen aisi ke har khwahish pe dam nikle

Thousands of desires, each worth dying for.

Mirza Ghalib, Unverified

* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.

🗣️ Urdu Proverb

جہاں پتھر سخت ہو، وہاں پانی بھی چلتا ہے

Jahan pathar sakht ho, wahan pani bhi chalta hai

Where the stone is hard, the water flows.

📖 Etymology

Origin: Old English "stǣfan" — to make firm, solid

First known use: 14th century

The term 'stiffen' has evolved from Old English 'stǣfan', which implied making something more rigid or firm. Over time, it has maintained its meaning in modern contexts.