as in soil
the solid part of our planet's surface as distinguished from the sea and air after that nightmarish storm, the sailors were grateful to reach terra firma

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of terra firma Her affinity for glamor doesn’t mean both heels aren’t planted on terra firma. EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025 But though its prototypes have been flying for a while now, and championships have been held, the pilots have controlled their racers remotely from the safety of terra firma. Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024 Not being content with doing all of that on terra firma though, Godziek decided to up the difficulty factor by doing his thing atop a moving train. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024 Then, as the Starliner free-falls through the air, a set of parachutes — which Boeing redesigned and tested as recently as January — must safely slow the capsule before the vehicle deploys airbags for a gentle touchdown on terra firma. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 6 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for terra firma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terra firma
Noun
  • For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Russia and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have launched intelligence missions right here on U.S. soil as the CCP has instigated an economic chokehold on South American countries through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and corruption.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Last week, the Department of the Interior announced that land would be transferred to the Army, allowing the military would of federal land to support Border Patrol for a period of three years.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Those canals, together with the ingenious system of chinampas, or floating plots of farming land, are located southeast of Mexico City, and serve as the legacy of a pre-Hispanic agriculture.
    Gwendolina Duval, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • While on the road - Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Under the county’s ownership, the old prison and grounds became a park, a golf course, three schools, and an arts center.
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But climate change is altering that equation, especially in places like New England where coastal waters are warming faster than almost anywhere on earth, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, especially in winter, fueling a green crab boom.
    Jacob Wycoff, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The earth has been razed bare as a result of deforestation, which has also weakened the soil layers that were washed away during the rainy season.
    Gwendolina Duval, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terra firma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terra%20firma. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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