Definition of terra firmanext
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 Those folks at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio were only dangling 200 feet above terra firma for ten minutes, but for this hombre, that’s ten minutes too many. Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026 Her leadership has been just as essential on terra firma, guiding SpaceX in its recent acquisition of xAI as well as the April announcement of its IPO. Arianna Huffington, Time, 15 Apr. 2026 And that's important, because Orion — like the Apollo capsules before it — is designed to splash down in the ocean, not land on terra firma. Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026 The same equipment that keeps the Grenadier gripped up and comfortable on the terra firma also behooves its ride around town. Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terra firma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terra firma
Noun
  • Officials had to reset Buffalo’s play clock in the first quarter so umpire Tab Slaughter could smash down loose soil in the backfield.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Add the impacts of climate change, which have resulted in warmer springs and drier soils that reduce runoff into the reservoirs, and average or above-average rainfall no longer guarantees equivalent runoff.
    Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Digital artist Lily Belmira has created a free video game that recreates the environment of Michael Heizer’s monumental land art sculpture City, 1970–2022, in the Nevada desert.
    News Desk, Artforum, 14 Aug. 2026
  • On top of the congestion problem, the Strait of Hormuz disruption is also forcing carriers to rely on more expensive alternative routings and land bridges, tacking on substantial operational costs.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The sprawling, lushly landscaped grounds feature a large main pool as well as a separate, quieter adults-only pool, all overlooking the ocean.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Without adequate reinforcement, shifting ground can cause tunnels to collapse suddenly, burying miners within seconds.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Large flower arrangements lie on the pile of earth; a traditional embroidered cloth drapes over the cross.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Above ground, others work in open pits, digging through and sorting earth in search of gold.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Terra firma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terra%20firma. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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