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
Nearly a decade later, both actors are firmly in A-list territory, balancing blockbuster franchises, fashion partnerships, and increasingly global careers.
—
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te thanked his counterpart and Paraguay's government for speaking out for Taiwan and firmly supporting Taiwan's international participation.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
The news will no doubt offer relief to fans, as the show had been firmly on the bubble going into NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation to advertisers.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 May 2026
Arsenal are firmly in title-chasing mode and goal difference could still prove crucial, despite Manchester City slipping up against Everton on Monday.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Bianco and Hilton firmly opposed it.
—The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
European equity markets are also firmly in the green amid a swathe of earnings, including Novo Nordisk, which hiked its guidance after sales of its new Wegovy pill came in ahead of expectations.
—Michael Considine, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Judges tend to give a minimal description to jurors – saying that jurors should be firmly convinced before convicting someone, for example.
—Sonali Chakravarti, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Once the performers appear, slinking in from the sides of the stage, the show firmly takes shape and eases smoothly from one episode from the Gospels to the next.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te thanked his counterpart and Paraguay's government for speaking out for Taiwan and firmly supporting Taiwan's international participation.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
The news will no doubt offer relief to fans, as the show had been firmly on the bubble going into NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation to advertisers.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 May 2026
Arsenal are firmly in title-chasing mode and goal difference could still prove crucial, despite Manchester City slipping up against Everton on Monday.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Bianco and Hilton firmly opposed it.
—The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
European equity markets are also firmly in the green amid a swathe of earnings, including Novo Nordisk, which hiked its guidance after sales of its new Wegovy pill came in ahead of expectations.
—Michael Considine, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Judges tend to give a minimal description to jurors – saying that jurors should be firmly convinced before convicting someone, for example.
—Sonali Chakravarti, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Once the performers appear, slinking in from the sides of the stage, the show firmly takes shape and eases smoothly from one episode from the Gospels to the next.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firmly
Adverb
-
The activity for Initio, with functional fragrances meant to trigger emotions, is performing strongly, too.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
That philosophy has resonated strongly with patients throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
While the pita bakes, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine ¾ cup unsalted butter and ¾ cup (packed) brown sugar and cook until the sugar melts and bubbles vigorously.—
Ham El-Waylly,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Tribune Editorial Board vigorously opposed it, going to its fallback position that the state must first cut spending.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Another appearance in print occurs in 1880, in the memoirs of a Canadian missionary called Sheldon Jackson—also a prominent founder of schools where Native children were forcibly assimilated.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
The story of Javier Chocobar, a member of the indigenous Chuchagasta community in northwest Argentina’s Tucumán Province, who in 2009 tried to defend himself and his people from being forcibly evicted from their land by a local landowner and two former police officers.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
Adverb
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Our team plays the game pretty hard and always looks for extra bases.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
In an individual sport, removed from any team dynamic, the results board made the fairness debate hard to ignore.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Adverb
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Throughout the trials the attorneys representing the Flores family vehemently asserted their clients’ innocence, repeatedly citing a lack of eyewitnesses and evidence.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Colorado Treasurer Dave Young also vehemently opposed the bill.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
Adverb
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Lane harrowingly captures the paralyzing fear of being ordinary, while Metcalf will overwhelm you with the sheer emotion of her performance as Willy’s fiercely loyal wife, Linda.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
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Lesch plays the savior’s anguished betrayer not as an intellectual equal who fiercely debates him and loses all patience with the movement.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firmly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firmly. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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