stiffening Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the act of becoming stiff
   
   • stiffening his shoulders, he prepared to advance
2. noun the process of becoming stiff or rigid
   rigidification; rigidifying.
   
3. verb become stiff or stiffer
   stiffen.
   
   • He stiffened when he saw his boss enter the room
4. verb make stiff or stiffer
   stiffen.
   
   • Stiffen the cream by adding gelatine
5. verb restrict
   stiffen; constrain; tighten; tighten up.
   
   • Tighten the rules
   • stiffen the regulations

WordNet