frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

ackwoods, the bush, Brit the hinterland or US the hinterlands,
Australian the outback, US the boondocks, the boonies: He hates
the city and now lives somewhere in the sticks. 4 wrong end of
the stick. misunderstanding, misreading, misconstruction,
misinterpretation: When it comes to understanding a regulation,
Ed always seems to get hold of the wrong end of the stick.
stick-in-the-mud
n. (old) fogy or fogey, conservative, anachronism, Colloq
fuddy-duddy, fossil, square, back number: Her husband was a
terrible stick-in-the-mud and would never try anything new.
sticky adj. 1 gluey, gummy, viscous, tacky, glutinous, viscid, Colloq
gooey: Children, please keep your sticky fingers off the car
windows. 2 awkward, ticklish, tricky, sensitive, delicate,
uncomfortable, discomfiting, discomforting, embarrassing, Slang
hairy: Inviting Steve with his ex-wife might be a bit sticky,
don't you think? 3 humid, clammy, dank, damp, muggy, close,
sultry, oppressive, sweltering: The weather was oppressive and
sticky, and they kept the fan on constantly.
stiff adj. 1 firm, rigid, inelastic, unbending, inflexible, hard,
unbendable, tough, solid, solidified, stiffened, unyielding,
brittle: The table napkins were so stiff with starch that I
almost cracked one. 2 severe, harsh, punitive, hurtful,
punishing, abusive, torturous, distressing, afflictive, painful,
overwhelming, unbearable, tormenting, merciless, excruciating,
cruel, drastic, US cruel and unusual: The government here has
stiff penalties for drug traffickers. 3 strong, potent,
powerful, overpowering, alcoholic: After that kind of an
ordeal, you could use a stiff drink, I'm sure. 4 vigorous,
energetic, staunch, dogged, tenacious, resolute, resolved,
determined, stubborn, obstinate, unyielding, indomitable,
relentless: They met with stiff opposition in trying to capture
the fort. 5 strong, steady, powerful, fresh, brisk, spanking,
gusty, forceful, howling: We had to reduce sail because of a
stiff westerly wind. 6 excessive, exorbitant, high, steep,
expensive, dear: They are asking a pretty stiff price these
days for a bottle of good vintage port. 7 cool, haughty, rigid,
wooden, stuffy, aloof, tense, intense, unrelaxed, forced,
pompous, stilted, mannered, ceremonious, austere, formal,
chilly, cold, unfriendly, standoffish, reserved, snobbish,
Colloq snooty, Slang uptight: Vince is warm and friendly, but