firm (up)

verb

Definition of firm (up)next
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for firm (up)
  1. freeze
  2. harden
Verb
  • Sophie Richards waited five years for a diagnosis (the average is seven to 10 years), and has had four surgeries (plus freezing her eggs).
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Iceland’s freezing temperatures typically last about five months of the year, but the government has chosen a balmy summer day for its pivotal national referendum.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of freeze
Verb
  • Rezaei was named this month as part of senior appointments widely seen as hardening Tehran’s political and military stance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Iranian officials dismiss the campaign as familiar punishment, while analysts warn decades of sanctions show pressure alone rarely forces Tehran to yield and may instead harden positions on all sides.
    — Farnoush Amiri, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 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

“Firm (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firm%20%28up%29. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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