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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 firmly How often do coaches who are firmly on the hot seat actually have a bounce-back season to save their jobs? — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Now Norvell enters 2026 firmly on the hot seat, entrusting his future to another transfer quarterback. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 Olave’s efficiency and target volume have always been strong throughout his career, so a top-12 season was firmly in the cards even with Tyson healthy. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 The story of Zero Company is firmly set within the Clone Wars, and along with that comes the era's distinctive visual style and aesthetic. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The sources firmly rejected the draft declarations, characterizing them as publicity stunts designed to mock the league, sow division, and draw attention to the topic by demeaning others. — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 The closed-door meeting was kept firmly under wraps, but Camilla was also there. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026 What’s next for Albania The things that make visiting Albania so wonderful—jaw-dropping scenery and that every restaurateur and hotelier foists their father’s homemade raki (grape brandy) on everyone, immediately—remain firmly in place. — Naomi Tomky, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026 The company’s new Learn Grid features push it firmly into the practice of teaching and assessment. — Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for firmly

Adverb

Gallup found that just 2% of Fortune 500 CHROs strongly agree their performance management system actually inspires employees to improve.

— Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Previous-generation Outbacks were functional but had an unfortunate tendency to look as though their infotainment system had been installed by somebody who strongly disliked both computers and human beings.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of strongly

Adverb

This is the situation to which Haitians living in the United States are being forcibly returned.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
More than 350 Greenlandic Indigenous women and girls, including some 12 years old and younger, previously came forward to investigators and reported that they were forcibly given contraception by Danish health authorities.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of forcibly

Adverb

Bally’s, meanwhile, has vehemently argued that allowing VGTs will cannibalize revenue from its 4,000 permanent facility slot machines.

— Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
However, it's been vehemently opposed by the other two parties that make up the government along with Luxon's center-right group National — libertarian ACT and populist NZ First.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of vehemently

Adverb

His first job out of law school was as a judge’s clerk at the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, giving him a front-row seat to consequential decisions—and to people who could disagree fiercely without letting those disagreements become personal.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
The 48-year-old just fiercely defended him in a lengthy statement to UsWeekly.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of fiercely

Browse Nearby Words

firming (up)

firmly

firmness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Firmly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firmly. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of firmly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes