as in firearm
a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder
the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 small arm
In total, 43 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced by a five-day conflict that started with small arms fire and quickly escalated into heavy artillery and rocket fire, then Thailand’s deployment hours later of an F-16 fighter jet for airstrikes.
—
CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Cambodian troops recorded themselves shooting down one such quadcopter drone with small arms fire.
—Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Other buyers in Asia such as Bangladesh and Myanmar have acquired armored vehicles, trainer aircraft, and small arms.
—Amir Daftari
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
The United States has provided more than three billion dollars’ worth of assistance, including equipment such as Humvees, grenade launchers, small arms, night-vision goggles, and body armor.
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for small arm
CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Cambodian troops recorded themselves shooting down one such quadcopter drone with small arms fire.
—Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Other buyers in Asia such as Bangladesh and Myanmar have acquired armored vehicles, trainer aircraft, and small arms.
—Amir Daftari
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
The United States has provided more than three billion dollars’ worth of assistance, including equipment such as Humvees, grenade launchers, small arms, night-vision goggles, and body armor.
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arm
Noun
-
Lanez was convicted in 2022 of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm and sentenced in August 2023 to 10 years in prison.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The new rule and the announcement that USCIS officers can carry firearms are the most recent steps to transform the agency into a different entity, away from one founded to adjudicate benefit applications and provide services to the public.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But unlike in past deadly episodes of gun violence, the leaders were silent on calling for any gun control measures.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
-
A student who authorities say opened fire at his Colorado high school, wounding two classmates and then turning the gun on himself, has died, according to the local sheriff's office.—
Alex Stone,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share