• decided alteration for the better, distinct improvement
• authoritatively, crisply, decidedly, deliberately, distinctly, downright, emphatically, explicitly, expressly, firm, firmly, flat, flatly, in set terms, markedly, positively, resolutely, starkly, stoutly, strenuously, sturdily
• definiteness, firmness, grit, positiveness, robustness, spiritedness, steadiness, stoutness, sturdiness
• for this express purpose
• to put on a bold front, to take a strong line