as in hardened
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 firmed (up)
Verb
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He was released, but the experience hardened his rage for the regime.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026 -
In their study describing the findings, published in Ecology and Evolution, the authors argue that these later marks are brighter because male deer antlers have fully hardened and their rubs can expose more inner wood.—
Anirban Mukhopadhyay,
Scientific American,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The sanctions froze his assets and dismantled his access to the global financial system.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
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In a new statement, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing spokesman Marc Williams said the agency reached its $25 million estimate by examining how the increase in the transportation program’s costs changed after Medicaid officials froze 280 providers from the system.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As the Timberwolves’ defense stiffened, their shots finally started falling.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Michael Carroll’s son stiffened — a cold jolt running through him — when his shovel struck what looked like rags and bones in the basement on Halloween eve 2018.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
13 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Firmed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firmed%20%28up%29. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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