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
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Recent Examples of small arm
Three Indian army officials said that Pakistani soldiers used small arms to fire at an Indian position in Kashmir late Thursday.
—
Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced the closure of a small arm within the State Department aimed at countering foreign disinformation campaigns, which Republicans increasingly criticized as silencing conservative voices online.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
These insights came from the Office of Net Assessment, a small arm of the Department of Defense that has, through its independent analyses, for decades played a vital role in informing senior Pentagon leaders’ strategic planning and policy priorities.
—Andrew F. Krepinevich, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2025
Another pair of small arms — possibly belonging to Prince Archie — can be seen off to the side, holding a piece of cake.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced the closure of a small arm within the State Department aimed at countering foreign disinformation campaigns, which Republicans increasingly criticized as silencing conservative voices online.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
These insights came from the Office of Net Assessment, a small arm of the Department of Defense that has, through its independent analyses, for decades played a vital role in informing senior Pentagon leaders’ strategic planning and policy priorities.
—Andrew F. Krepinevich, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2025
Another pair of small arms — possibly belonging to Prince Archie — can be seen off to the side, holding a piece of cake.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arm
Noun
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Growing up around firearms The source familiar with the investigation, however, said that authorities learned Roley grew up with a family that had firearms and felt comfortable handling them.—
Mike Levine,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
-
During his initial court appearance on Sunday, Leto, who had a valid firearm owner’s identification card and concealed carry license, was ordered held pending trial.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
And second, those engaging in gun violence do so after curfew, hence the need for curfews and stronger police presence at night.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
8 July 2025
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In the air, its air force jets must rely on missiles and guns to engage drones that breach its sovereign airspace.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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