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 Not being content with doing all of that on terra firma though, Godziek decided to up the difficulty factor by doing his thing atop a moving train. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024 Then, as the Starliner free-falls through the air, a set of parachutes — which Boeing redesigned and tested as recently as January — must safely slow the capsule before the vehicle deploys airbags for a gentle touchdown on terra firma. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 6 Sep. 2024 If maximizing your time on terra firma is a priority, Polaris might not be the best choice for you. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024 While the rockets all soar more the 50 miles above Earth’s surface, the balloons reach what’s often referred to as the edge of space, somewhere around 20 miles above terra firma. J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 2 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for terra firma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for terra firma
Noun
  • This step-by-step guide explains how to propagate hoya plants by rooting cuttings in water or layering in soil.
    Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Rent a small car or Vespa to zip around the narrow roads, discovering vineyards with volcanic soil, prehistoric villages, and underwater caves along the way.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Here’s more from my seriously unserious conversation with Alva about the fictitious land deal (edited for clarity and brevity).
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Before this administration, no senior American official would have suggested that the U.S. should take anything but a leadership role in facing a major threat — let alone the greatest land war on the European continent since World War II.
    Ian Kelly, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Reddish light, which travels more directly in the air, manifests to ground observers during sunrises and sunsets when the sun is near the horizon and its incoming light travels at a longer, low-angle path through Earth's atmosphere.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The water ice on the surface of the world suggests that there should be more water hidden below ground.
    Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Tim Kurkjian, a Hall of Fame baseball writer, gave quirky stats and told stories of the olden days when dinosaurs like Earl Weaver roamed the earth.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
  • This town and all surrounding section of Lonoke county were shaken by an earth tremor at 7:20 tonight.
    The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 22 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Terra firma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terra%20firma. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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