ramrod-straight
Stiff as steel
Ramrod-straight describes posture that is rigidly upright and perfectly vertical, like a ramrod—the metal rod used to push ammunition down a gun barrel.
The term suggests military bearing or stiff formality: She sat ramrod-straight through the entire interview.
It can imply discipline, tension, or refusal to relax.
Vertical in position
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- spineColumn of vertebrae
- verticalAt right angles groundward
- stiffNot easily bent
tall · rigid · aligned · unbent · military · formal · proper · poised
Refusing to give way
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- rigidUnable to bend
strict · austere · unbending · principled · steadfast · disciplined · resolute · firm
erect
Vertical in position
stiff · tall · rigid · aligned · unbent · military · formal · proper · poised · statuesque
unyielding
Refusing to give way
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
rigid · strict · austere · unbending · principled · steadfast · disciplined · resolute · firm · proper