Stiffening

Stiffening refers to the process of becoming rigid, firm, or inflexible. It can describe a physical change, like muscles tensing or materials hardening, or a more abstract shift, such as a person's attitude becoming more resistant or policies becoming stricter. It implies a loss of flexibility or pliability, and often suggests an increase in strength or stability, though sometimes at the cost of adaptability. The degree of stiffening varies widely, ranging from a subtle increase in tension to complete immobility.

Stiffening meaning with examples

• The cold air caused a noticeable stiffening of the hiker's muscles, making each step feel laboured. He had to stop and warm up before continuing his ascent. Despite the cold, he found a space by the river to get his muscles more used to the conditions, this eased him to the top and gave him great views.
• The construction crew employed several methods to ensure the concrete's proper stiffening. This included adding accelerating admixtures to speed up the process. Proper water ratios and curing times were also critical, otherwise, the structure may be weak and brittle.
• As the deadline approached, there was a stiffening of the company's policies regarding employee time-off requests. Many employees were annoyed by this. Everyone wanted time-off, this resulted in less staff and harder working conditions.
• The artist observed a gradual stiffening of the clay as it dried in the sun. This led to a more brittle state where cracks became more noticeable. She realized that the clay needed to be kept wet and the work finished sooner.
• After a long period of political turmoil, the country experienced a stiffening of its borders, with increased security measures and stricter immigration protocols. This did not lead to a more pleasant outcome, it isolated the people.