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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Containers aren’t just for urban gardeners who lack space or terra firma. — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 May 2026 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 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
  • In Richard’s hands, Creole culture is rooted and migrant, soil and air.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The footpad cannot extract energy from chemically inert surfaces such as plastic, glass, soil, or organic tissue, prompting the team to add a small onboard supercapacitor to buffer power across dead zones.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Badly injured, Captain Machchhar somehow opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower al-Hammami, and two off-duty pilots to take control of the plane and land it in Saudi Arabia.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Food fried in beef tallow lands crisper and less greasy than food fried in seed oils, with a deeper savory flavor cooks notice right away.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Pollinators and birds have found a welcoming haven here, is a spot that was previously barren, rocky ground.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • By mid-2013, mass disillusionment with the Brotherhood provided fertile ground for a military comeback.
    — Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Delphi sits above a geologic vent, an X from which noxious gases escaped the earth, corrupting the minds of women who inhaled and pronounced their prophecies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Microsoft makes a big investment, and when the company’s innovative earth-shaking ChatGPT becomes a sensation Altman changes to goals and goes for profit.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terra firma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terra%20firma. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster