firming (up)

verb

Definition of firming (up)next
present participle of firm (up)
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)
  1. freezing
  2. hardening
  3. stiffening
Verb
  • The city is eliminating 51 positions and freezing 91 positions for half the year and 29 positions for the full year.
    — Jack Fink, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, there were more than 39,000 egg retrieval or freezing cycles in the United States, up from 6,090 in 2014.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of freezing
Verb
  • The state needs to have programs to help incentivize and help subsidize these hazard mitigation measures and home hardening measures.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Each Fernie's Frozen Espresso-tini Bar is artfully drizzled with ribbons of chocolate shell coating, hardening into a delicate, crackable bite, making for the ultimate pick-me-up on a stick!
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of hardening
Verb
  • Not to mention their unusually flexible blood vessels could also help compensate for stiffening heart tissue.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Even simple movements can encourage healthy blood flow and keep fascia from stiffening up.
    — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 27 July 2026
Definition of stiffening
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

firmed (up)
firming (up)
firmly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Firming (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firming%20%28up%29. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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