Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a rigidly straight or upright posture: Describes someone or something (often a person) holding their back very straight and rigid, typically not bending or slouching. This posture often conveys formality, discipline, pride, or a lack of relaxation.
   • Unyielding or inflexible in attitude or demeanor: By extension, describes a person who is formal, severe, unemotional, or stubborn in their manner.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The soldier remained stiff-backed and at attention throughout the long ceremony.
  • She sat stiff-backed in the uncomfortable chair, refusing to show any discomfort.
  • His stiff-backed refusal to compromise ended the negotiations.

Advanced Usage

• Describing objects or animals: While typically used for people, it can describe an object or animal with a rigid, straight back.
  • The old, stiff-backed ledger sat on the shelf.
  • The wary cat arched into a stiff-backed stance.

Variants and Related Words

• Stiffly (adverb): In a stiff manner.
  • He sat stiffly in his seat.
• Rigid (adjective): Unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible.
• Upright (adjective): (Of a person) sitting or standing with the back straight.

Synonyms

• Rigid
• Upright
• Unbending
• Formal
• Austere

Antonyms

• Slouching
• Relaxed
• Limp
• Flexible
• Informal

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To stand on ceremony: To behave in a very formal way. A stiff-backed person often stands on ceremony.
  • There's no need to stand on ceremony; please make yourself comfortable.
• To keep a stiff upper lip: To remain stoic and unemotional in the face of difficulty. This idiom relates to the unyielding demeanor suggested by stiff-backed.
  • Despite the bad news, he kept a stiff upper lip.

Adjective

1. having a stiff back
   • the guards stood stiff-backed and unsmiling