firm

modif.

1. Stable

   fixed, solid, rooted, immovable, fastened, motionless, secured, steady, substantial, durable, rigid, bolted, welded, riveted, soldered, embedded, nailed, tightened, screwed, spiked, anchored, moored, fast, secure, sound, immobile, unmovable, mounted, unmoving, stationary, set, petrified, settled.

   Antonyms loose*, movable*, mobile. *

2. Firm in texture

   solid, dense, compact, hard, stiff, impenetrable, close-grained, fine-grained, impervious, rigid, inelastic, hardened, inflexible, congealed, unyielding, thick, compressed, substantial, heavy, nonporous, close, condensed, thickset, impermeable, refractory.

   Antonyms soft*, porous*, flabby. *

3. Settled in purpose

   determined, steadfast, constant, unwavering; see resolute 2.

4. Definite

   specific, explicit, fixed, confirmed; see definite 1, determined 1.

5. Indicating firmness

   strong, vigorous, steady, determined, adamant, hard, cold, sound, stout, sturdy, staunch.

   Antonyms weak*, irresolute*, unsteady.

firm, in referring to material consistency, suggests a compactness that does not yield easily to, or is very resilient under, pressure a firm mattress; hard is applied to that which is so firm that it is not easily penetrated, cut, or crushed hard as rock; solid suggests a dense consistency throughout a mass or substance that is firm or hard and often connotes heaviness or substantiality solid brick; stiff implies resistance to bending or stretching a stiff collar

stand<strong> (<em>or</em> </strong>hold) firm