as in strongly
in a vigorous and forceful manner
stomped his feet firmly to get the snow off his boots
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Recent Examples of firmly
That deeply constrains everything that occurs in the show’s first outing, which can’t see Mike, El, Dustin, Lucas, or Max grow as characters in ways that bump up against their arcs from the original show, or let the new addition Nikki (Odessa A’zion) become too firmly entrenched in their lives.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Verdict As tested at MSRP of $74,740, this SQ5 Prestige with Black Optic package sits firmly in the upper tier of compact luxury performance SUVs.
—Chris Jackson, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Miami’s brain trust firmly believes in the strategy.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
This is a high-spirited opening for curious neighbors and travelers alike, with a mischievous sense of fun that firmly roots guests in their destination.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
That puts it firmly in Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler territory.
—New Atlas, 23 Apr. 2026
The new findings, published this month in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, point firmly toward the latter.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
His tenure lasted until 1962, during which time he was joined by the notable poet and critic Edwin Denby, whose work hewed rather firmly to criticism.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Unlike the financial investment disclaimer, the Royals firmly believe past performance does assure future results — or at least more current ones — among this group.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Verdict As tested at MSRP of $74,740, this SQ5 Prestige with Black Optic package sits firmly in the upper tier of compact luxury performance SUVs.
—Chris Jackson, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Miami’s brain trust firmly believes in the strategy.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
This is a high-spirited opening for curious neighbors and travelers alike, with a mischievous sense of fun that firmly roots guests in their destination.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
That puts it firmly in Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler territory.
—New Atlas, 23 Apr. 2026
The new findings, published this month in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, point firmly toward the latter.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
His tenure lasted until 1962, during which time he was joined by the notable poet and critic Edwin Denby, whose work hewed rather firmly to criticism.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Unlike the financial investment disclaimer, the Royals firmly believe past performance does assure future results — or at least more current ones — among this group.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firmly
Adverb
-
Director Matt Pfeiffer tries not to tie it too strongly to an extreme light or dark mood but does keep up a snappy pace, plays most of the angriest outbursts for laughs and takes good advantage of the openness of the Playhouse on Park stage area.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
That some might strongly disagree or be offended by what the speaker says does not silence the speaker.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
14 Apr. 2026
-
For vegetable gardens and vigorously growing annuals, choose a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer labeled 10-10-10.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Lyons, who joined ICE in 2007 as an immigration enforcement agent in Texas, signed off on a memo, first obtained by the Associated Press, that granted federal immigration officers sweeping powers to forcibly enter homes and make arrests without a judge’s warrant.—
Tia Goldenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Police said the male suspect came up on someone loading a vehicle at a parking spot, forcibly stole the victim's keys, and jumped into the vehicle.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Aerate compacted and hard-to-wet lawns.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
King Charles' younger sister is known for her tireless drive for royal duty, often ranked among the royal family's hardest-working members by count of official engagements recorded in The Court Circular.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
When the Dodgers public address announcer read the Cubs starting lineup, Dodgers fans vehemently booed Crow-Armstrong, a trend that continued before each at-bat and again Saturday when he was announced pregame.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Rather than bruising the Italian leader, the barbs have appear to have won her support at home, even uniting those who vehemently oppose and criticize her.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Larter stars as Angela Norris, the fiercely independent wife of Billy Bob Thornton’s Tommy Norris, a character who refuses to conform to expectations.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Her empathetic and fiercely protective Olivia Benson, now captain of the NYPD's Special Victim's Unit in Manhattan, has becoming the longest-reigning character in primetime TV.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firmly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firmly. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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