of Stiffen
Source: Webster's dictionaryCourage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. Billy Graham
I have nothing to say for rhyme, but that I doubt whether a poem can support itself without it, in our language; unless it be stiffened with such strange words, as are likely to destroy our language itself. Alexander Pope
Carmody's jaw stiffened and he withdrew his hand. He had been pushed around long enough. Now, for the sake of his own self-esteem, he would not yield any more. Robert Sheckley
I admired the way McCain worked on campaign finance reform. I admired the way Nancy Pelosi stiffened the Democrats' spine during the health care debate. I admire the way Barack Obama has raised a dog in the White House without ever putting it on the roof of the car for a vacation drive. Gail Collins
I think I'll just go take a shower,” I said. It wasn't until Samuel stiffened that I remembered I'd just come out of the shower. So much for playing normal. Patricia Briggs
Al was standing a bare three feet away, his mood almost jovial as he took the paper and it vanished in a wash of black sparkles. "Thank you, Rachel,” he said, carefully reaching for my hand as Trent stiffened. "Welcome back, my itchy witch. Kim Harrison