stiffened up
Lost all flexibility
Stiffened up describes muscles or joints becoming rigid and sore, typically from cold, inactivity, or exertion: My back stiffened up after sitting at the computer all day.
It can also describe becoming more formal or tense in manner: He stiffened up when his ex walked in.
- seized upBecame stuck, immobilized
- hardenedMade tough or unfeeling
- locked upConfined or secured
- uptightAnxiously rigid in manner
- standing at attentionFormal upright military stance
rigidity · constrained · tense · restricted · locked · contracted · immobile · inflexible · defensive · guarded · on guard · clammed up · stuck · tightened · frozen · rigor mortis · taut · jammed
stiffened uploosened up
Became more relaxed
relaxed · softened · limbered up · loosened · unwound
stiffened uploosened up
Became more relaxed
relaxed · mellowed · let one's guard down · warmed up · opened up
stiffened uploosened up
Became more relaxed
softened up · eased up · let up · gave way · yielded
stiff, stiffen, stiffened, stiffening, stiffens, stiffly, stiffness, stiffer, stiffest