FIRM (UP) Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

firm (up)

verb

Definition of firm (up)

as in to freeze

to become physically firm or solid wait for the modeling clay to firm up before handling the finished pot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for firm (up)

Verb

As a result of the layoffs and mass cancellation of contracts in early 2025, millions of NIH websites have been effectively frozen for nearly 18 months.

— Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Cuts are planned to come, in part, from freezing wages for public sector workers like teachers.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of freeze

Verb

European countries have hardened their stance against Chinese imports over fears that an influx of goods like solar panels and EVs could hollow out the bloc’s industries.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
The incident could further inflame tensions between the Koreas, which have no working military hotlines or other emergency communications channels as North Korea hardens its stance toward Seoul while expanding its military nuclear program.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of harden

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

firms (up)

firm (up)

first

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Firm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firm%20%28up%29. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of firm (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

regimen

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes