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
  • In addition to being found in soil, small amounts of heavy metals can be spotted naturally in the environment, including in food products, due to air, water, and soil exposure, according to the Girl Scouts.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
  • According to Newsweek reporting, NATO's European members have already started laying the groundwork for defenses, should Russian troops set foot on alliance soil.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • An apocalyptic adventure story teeming with rock and rollers, samizdat books, worker rebellions, and underground societies, the novel envisions this land and its future not as utopian or dystopian, necessarily, but rather as a site of branching possibilities.
    David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Dalton plays Donald Whitfield, a land baron who has set his sights on the Yellowstone ranch.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Place landscape cloth on level ground to block weed growth, and construct walls at least 12 inches deep and at least 20 inches to grow root vegetables.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Accommodations for this ticket include the choice of either a four-stateroom yacht or four-bedroom villa with access to the festival grounds for three nights.
    Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Terra firma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/terra%20firma. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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