unstiffening

Losing rigid quality

Unstiffening is the process of becoming less stiff or rigid, or causing something to lose its stiffness.

Muscles unstiffen after a warm bath; joints unstiffen with movement.

The word applies equally to physical flexibility and to manner: His posture unstiffening, he finally relaxed into the conversation.

physical

loosening

Reducing tightness or tension

thawing · warming · unbending · flexing · stretching · yielding · unknotting · unkinking · decompressing · uncramping

social

thawing

Frozen matter liquefying

mellowing · softening · defrosting · unbending · loosening up · easing · breaking the ice · warming up

material

softening

Becoming less firm

suppleness · elasticity · plasticity · bendability · give · stretch · yielding · conditioning · treating · moisturizing

relief

easing

Reducing strain or difficulty

relaxing · unwinding · decompressing · loosening · calming · settling · comforting · unburdening · destressing

Opposites
physical rigidity process

unstiffeningstiffening

Becoming less pliable

hardening · rigidifying · solidifying · tensing · tightening

attitudinal/social flexibility

unstiffeningstiffening

Becoming less pliable

hardening · rigidifying · ossifying · tightening up · digging in

Family

stiff, stiffen, stiffness, stiffened, stiffly, stiffening, stiffens, stiffer, stiffener

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Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G