Firmness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈfərm/

Meaning & Definition of Firmness

Firmness (adjective)

  1. securely or solidly fixed in place
  2. not weak or uncertain, vigorous
  3. having a solid or compact structure that resists stress or pressure

Firmness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. firm or unwavering adherence to one's purpose

    "a woman of remarkable firmness in the achievement of the goals she has set for herself"

    similar: decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determination, determinedness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, stick-to-itiveness
    related: doggedness, obduracy, obdurateness, obstinacy, obstinateness, perseverance, persistence, persistency, stubbornness, tenaciousness, tenacity, certainty, certitude, confidence, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, gameness, readiness, backbone, fortitude, grit, iron, pluck, sand
    opposite: hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation
    near: doubt, incertitude, indetermination, uncertainty, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness

  2. the ability to withstand force or stress without being distorted, dislodged, or damaged

    "test the firmness of the concrete before parking the car on it"

    similar: soundness, stability, strength, sturdiness
    related: dependability, durability, reliability, solidity, solidness, cohesion, toughness
    opposite: insecurity, instability, precariousness, shakiness, unstableness, unsteadiness
    near: insubstantiality, unsoundness, unsubstantiality, weakness

Related Entry: Firm (adjective)

Firm is a different word from Firmness. The synonyms below are for firm, not for firmness.

  1. not showing weakness or uncertainty

    "a friendly fellow with a ready smile and a firm handshake"

    similar: forceful, hearty, iron, lusty, robust, solid, stout, strong, sturdy, vigorous
    related: hard, ironclad, mighty, powerful, tough, unyielding, animated, brisk, energetic, frisky, jaunty, jazzy, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightful, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy, assured, certain, confident, sanguine, secure, sure
    opposite: uncertain, weak
    near: feeble, fragile, frail, limp, listless, spiritless, diffident, insecure, self-doubting, characterless, effete, spineless, weakened, weak-kneed, wimpy, wishy-washy

  2. having a consistency that does not easily yield to pressure

    "cold butter that was too firm to spread"

    similar: compact, hard, rigid, solid, stiff, unyielding
    related: case-hardened, compacted, compressed, hardened, indurated, stiffened, tempered, close, dense, heavy, thick, thickset, inelastic, inflexible, ramrod, unbending, condensed, adamantine, rocklike, sturdy, substantial, impenetrable, impermeable, nonporous
    opposite: flabby, soft, spongy, squashy, squishy
    near: loose, scattered, thin, bendable, elastic, flexible, malleable, pliable, pliant, supple, droopy, flaccid, floppy, lank, limp, slack, airy, light, permeable, porous, ultrasoft

  3. firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge

    "was firm in the saddle during the canter"

    similar: fast, frozen, jammed, lodged, set, snug, stuck, tight, wedged
    related: bonded, cemented, glued, anchored, clamped, embedded, entrenched, impacted, implanted, attached, bound, fastened, secured, immovable, unyielding
    opposite: insecure, loose
    near: detached, dislodged, freed, loosened, unattached, unbound, undone, unfastened, unsecured, movable, yielding

  4. fully committed to achieving a goal

    "asked him to reconsider, but he was firm in his commitment to the project"

    similar: bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die, hell-bent (on or upon), intent, out, purposeful, resolute, resolved, set, single-minded, on one's mettle
    related: bitter, vehement, certain, cocksure, confident, positive, sure, earnest, serious, steady, unfaltering, unhesitating, unswerving, unwavering, adamant, adamantine, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, persistent, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, tenacious, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful
    opposite: faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating, wavering, weak-kneed
    near: distrustful, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, disinclined, indisposed, loath, reluctant

  5. having been established and usually not subject to change

    "the selling price of the house is firm, so there'll be no dickering"

    similar: certain, determinate, final, fixed, flat, frozen, hard, hard-and-fast, inexpugnable, set, settled, stable
    related: nonadjustable, noncancelable, nonnegotiable, unchangeable, constant, steady, unchanging, uniform, unwavering, definite, exact, explicit, specific, given, stated, stipulated, dependable, good, reliable, responsible, safe, solid, sure, tried, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty
    near: adjustable, changeable, negotiable, indefinite, open-ended, unspecified, capricious, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconstant, mercurial, mutable, temperamental, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, variable, volatile

  6. marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion

    "built on a firm foundation, so the house hasn't settled"

    similar: bombproof, fast, sound, stable, stalwart, strong, sturdy
    related: dependable, durable, reliable, infrangible, irrefragable, unbreakable, beefy, solid, cohesive, tough
    opposite: rickety, unsound, unstable, unsteady
    near: infirm, insecure, weak, shaky, tottering, tottery, unbalanced, wobbly, unsubstantial

  7. based on sound reasoning or information

    "that assassination theory is far from firm, since there's not a shred of actual evidence to back it up"

    similar: commonsense, commonsensible, commonsensical, good, hard, informed, just, justified, levelheaded, logical, rational, reasonable, reasoned, sensible, sober, solid, valid, well-founded
    related: actual, real, true, certain, sure, certified, validated, verified, confirmed, corroborated, substantiated, cogent, convincing, colorable, credible, plausible
    opposite: groundless, illogical, invalid, irrational, nonrational, nonsensical, nonvalid, unfounded, uninformed, unjustified, unreasonable, unreasoned, unsound
    near: unsubstantiated, unsupported, unwarranted, flimsy, implausible, unconvincing, weak, fallacious, false, misguided, misled

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Firmness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Firmness:

decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determination, determinedness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, stick-to-itiveness, soundness, stability, strength, sturdiness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Firmness

Words with the opposite meaning of Firmness:

hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation, insecurity, instability, precariousness, shakiness, unstableness, unsteadiness

Related Words for Firmness

doggedness, obduracy, obdurateness, obstinacy, obstinateness, perseverance, persistence, persistency, stubbornness, tenaciousness, tenacity, certainty, certitude, confidence, sureness, alacrity, eagerness, gameness, readiness, backbone, fortitude, grit, iron, pluck, sand, dependability, durability, reliability, solidity, solidness

Near Antonyms of Firmness

doubt, incertitude, indetermination, uncertainty, aversion, disinclination, indisposition, reluctance, unwillingness, insubstantiality, unsoundness, unsubstantiality, weakness

Word Forms of Firmness

Derived words: firmly (adverb), firmness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Firmness

Middle English ferm, from Anglo-French, from Latin firmus; akin to Greek thronos chair, throne

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Firmness

What does "Firmness" mean?

"Firmness" means securely or solidly fixed in place. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: securely or solidly fixed in place. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Firmness"?

Other words for "Firmness" include decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determination, determinedness, granite, purposefulness and resoluteness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Firmness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Firmness"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Firmness". Common alternatives include decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determination, determinedness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution and resolve.

What is the opposite of "Firmness"?

Antonyms of "Firmness" include hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation, insecurity and instability. Near antonyms include doubt, incertitude, indetermination and uncertainty.

How do you use "Firmness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Firmness" in a sentence: "a woman of remarkable firmness in the achievement of the goals she has set for herself"; "test the firmness of the concrete before parking the car on it".

Is "Firmness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Firmness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Firmness"?

"Firmness" is pronounced /ˈfərm/.

What is the origin of the word "Firmness"?

"Firmness" comes from Middle English ferm, from Anglo-French, from Latin firmus; akin to Greek thronos chair, throne. First known use: 14th century.