FIRMLY Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

firmly

adverb

Definition of firmly

as in strongly

in a vigorous and forceful manner stomped his feet firmly to get the snow off his boots

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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 firmly Shares were last seen down 14%, sitting firmly at the bottom of the Stoxx 600 index. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 In this 1966 photo of the musician and his instrument, with glam rock still in the future, one of its superstars is still firmly surrounded by mod, mid-1960s fixtures including his skinny tie and massive ashtray. — Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026 The goddesses in these paintings have a serene air, with roots firmly anchored in the earth, but also a crown of leaves that sway with the wind. — Tatiane De Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Diwali is now firmly on luxury’s global calendar, offering brands an opportunity to connect with Indian customers while tapping into the festival’s growing commercial potential. — Sujata Assomull, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026 The team was swept in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder, however, firmly highlighting the gap between LA and the top of the conference. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 That series was firmly within Reeves’ Batman universe, with Colin Farrell reprising his prosthetics-heavy role from The Batman as the eponymous villain and Reeves serving as an executive producer. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 According to El Shenawy, the new film will retain elements of the original’s structure and narrative approach, while grounding its dialogue, conflicts and characters firmly in the present. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 The form factor is sure to catch on more swiftly with Apple and Samsung firmly on board. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for firmly

Adverb

Still, the momentum, by his forecast, strongly favors the Democrats.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
What famous physicists thought The debate between determinism and indeterminism in quantum mechanics has split the physicists into two groups that stand strongly by their views.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of strongly

Adverb

The president has continued to vigorously back Paxton throughout the general election, making several trips to Texas to campaign for him.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
His critics interpreted it as endorsing the massacre of Israeli civilians, though Abu Shehadeh and others vigorously denied that claim.

— Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of vigorously

Adverb

Women are typically forcibly sterilized through hysterectomy, tubal ligation, or endometrial ablation, while men are typically subjected to vasectomy.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Trump’s yearly average of removing 380,000 migrants forcibly, rather than voluntarily, is lower than Barack Obama’s average of 392,000 annually in his first term.

— Alec Dent, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of forcibly

Adverb

With nearly 60 murders per day, South Africa has one of the world's highest crime rates, and several of Cape Town's townships are among the areas hardest hit by violent crime.

— Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Eisenkot believes Netanyahu has purposefully made that process harder.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hard

Adverb

Funding for Platte County police came to a heated front in a county commission meeting earlier this year where Sheriff Erik Holland and Prosecuting Attorney Erik Zahnd vehemently argued that the law enforcement budget was too low.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
The assassination was ordered personally by Walter Ulbricht, head of the Berlin Communist Party, as was widely reported at the time, though it was vehemently denied.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of vehemently

Adverb

Rooting it very fiercely in a time period felt like the wrong choice.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026
The first season of Carrie follows misfit high-schooler Carrie White (Howell) who has spent her life hidden away inside the walls of her home with her fiercely protective mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan).

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of fiercely

Browse Nearby Words

firming (up)

firmly

firmness

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“Firmly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firmly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of firmly

adverb

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