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
However, in comparison to the breathless enthusiasm of previous years, the talk was centered firmly on value.
—
Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This was firmly denied by Iran's prosecutor general.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
But now that cloud storage is firmly integrated into the contemporary storytelling process, there’s room to tackle other problems.
—Caitlin White, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Winter weather is firmly in place across Indiana, where lake-effect snow in the northern portion of the state can create sharp differences in accumulation.
—Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 23 Jan. 2026
The magnetic driver tip secures bits firmly in place, preventing slips and ensuring precision.
—New Atlas, 22 Jan. 2026
The dispute over Greenland is ultimately a North American dispute, and its logic is rooted firmly in the Monroe Doctrine, which has been guiding American policy off and on since 1823.
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
Their music, however, is firmly rooted in the golden age of American ‘90s R&B and hip-hop.
—Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The long-term nationwide shortage of homes remains firmly in place.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026
Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This was firmly denied by Iran's prosecutor general.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026
But now that cloud storage is firmly integrated into the contemporary storytelling process, there’s room to tackle other problems.
—Caitlin White, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Winter weather is firmly in place across Indiana, where lake-effect snow in the northern portion of the state can create sharp differences in accumulation.
—Brandi D. Addison, IndyStar, 23 Jan. 2026
The magnetic driver tip secures bits firmly in place, preventing slips and ensuring precision.
—New Atlas, 22 Jan. 2026
The dispute over Greenland is ultimately a North American dispute, and its logic is rooted firmly in the Monroe Doctrine, which has been guiding American policy off and on since 1823.
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
Their music, however, is firmly rooted in the golden age of American ‘90s R&B and hip-hop.
—Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
The long-term nationwide shortage of homes remains firmly in place.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firmly
Adverb
-
The high-profile federal deployment has been strongly opposed by state and local leaders, including Walz, Ellison and Frey, and angered many local residents, who have denounced actions and operations by federal agents as heavy-handed and indiscriminate.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The pattern of this movement strongly suggests ‘smart money’ positioning for an ongoing uptrend.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The vines climb to about 6 feet tall, growing vigorously even through summer heat.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Prevost asks the new Pope, and the two men, beaming, shake hands vigorously.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Even if someone were able to go in and forcibly clean out her apartment, it could just get hoarded again.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Dressed in athleisure, Maduro appears composed, almost casual—closer to a figure en route to a tennis match than one forcibly removed from power.—
Debbie Millman,
Time,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The previously slumping Geekie scored two goals, including the game-winner late in the third period, a shot that was hammered so hard that no one saw the puck go in the net, until Geekie raced down and pointed to where the puck was lodged.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
That history is why Van's post-UFC 324 trolling hits so hard.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The man’s attorney vehemently denied federal officials' account of the arrest and said the man was in the country legally, awaiting asylum.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
-
All of the cockfighters, lottery participants, and sailors throwing scrimshaw dice had to work around the ethical code imposed by Quakers, Shakers, and Puritans who vehemently opposed these games of chance.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Americans argued fiercely about whether to intervene abroad, but largely shared the same moral vocabulary.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Coleman will play Cheyenne Barnes, a fiercely confident hairstylist whose bold sexuality and razor-sharp wit command attention, masking the emotional scars she’s carried for years.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firmly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firmly. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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