as in freezing
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 firming (up)
Verb
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Instead, anglers should kill the fish by freezing it or placing it on ice for an extended period, the agency states.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
9 June 2026 -
Locally temperatures may drop to near or just below freezing early Wednesday morning.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Beyond hardening technical defenses, companies operating in the AI age need to examine a wide range of practices, say industry experts, updating the way software patches are deployed and rebuilding the human layer of security.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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This will keep gloves from hardening and extend their life.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Volkswagen’s premium Audi brand has lost much of its luster in recent years, dragged down by trade tariffs, stiffening competition and a patchy electric-vehicle roster.—
William Wilkes,
Bloomberg,
8 June 2026
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Chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, stiffening them and increasing resistance.—
Jennifer Berger,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Firming (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firming%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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