as in hardened
to become physically firm or solid
wait for the modeling clay to firm up before handling the finished pot
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firmed (up)
Verb
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But by the time of Pretti’s killing – and with public anger rising – the tone of state officials hardened, promising a serious inquiry, whatever the challenges.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026 -
For years, this unspoken truth has hardened her, shaping her into a woman of precision and emotional distance — a mother who learned survival through silence.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Board of Education also froze employee travel and district contracts, pending an internal investigation.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
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The newspaper printed its last edition in June 2021 after police raided its office and froze its assets.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Timberwolves’ defense stiffened, their shots finally started falling.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Outrage from the left about that maneuver stiffened Democratic spirits for a confrontation in the fall.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
31 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Firmed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firmed%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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