ground synonyms

ground

n.

  1. Soil

    sand, dirt, soil; see earth 2.

  2. An area

    spot, terrain, territory; see area 2.

break ground

start, initiate, commence; see begin 1.

cover ground

move, go on, progress; see advance 1.

cut the ground from under one <strong>or </strong>one's feet*

deprive, prove wrong, talk down; see defeat 1.

from the ground up

thoroughly, wholly, entirely; see completely.

gain ground

move, go on, progress; see advance 1.

get off the ground*

start, commence, come into being; see begin 2.

give ground

withdraw, yield, retire; see retreat 1.

hold <strong>or </strong>stand one's ground

maintain one's position, defend, sustain, dig in one's heels; see endure 2.

lose ground

withdraw, fall behind, drop back; see lag 1.

on delicate ground

in a sensitive position, unsteady, insecure; see weak 3, 6.

on firm ground

reliable, secure, supported; see safe 1.

on one's own ground*

comfortable in, capable, proficient; see able 1, 2.

on shaky ground*

uncertain, unreliable, weak; see inadequate 1.

run into the ground*

exaggerate, do too much, press; see overdo 1.

suit (right) down to the ground*

suit, be suitable for, be appropriate for, fulfill; see fit 1, 2.

ground

v.

  1. To bring to the ground

    floor, bring down, prostrate; see fell.

  2. To restrict

    cause to remain on the ground, bar from flying, take wings away, prevent from driving*, confine to one's home; see also restrict 2.

  3. To instruct in essentials

    train, indoctrinate, educate; see teach 1.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.