1
as in inferno
a destructive burning
a number of suspicious fires in the neighborhood recently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in intensity
depth of feeling
had she the fire in her heart that a run for the White House requires?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ordeal
a test of faith, patience, or strength
asked to be sent to the front lines, as he was eager to prove himself in the fire of battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
3
as in to stimulate
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
a school outing to the natural history museum fired his imagination, and he grew up to become an eminent paleontologist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment
fired the secretary for incompetence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
fired a pass to the running back
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
lit some kindling before attempting to fire the logs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 fire
Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
The ritual occurs every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on the day before Easter and consists of the lighting of a fire — said to emerge miraculously — that is then distributed to Orthodox countries including Romania.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 June 2025
Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Saleh was the head coach for the New York Jets, but was unceremoniously fired after Week 6 in 2024.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Noun
In February, a United Airlines Airbus A319 experienced an engine fire out of Houston’s airport, resulting in an aborted takeoff.
—Sheldon H. Jacobson, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
The ritual occurs every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on the day before Easter and consists of the lighting of a fire — said to emerge miraculously — that is then distributed to Orthodox countries including Romania.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 June 2025
Verb
Sirens blared, the fires raged on, cars flew in and out of the center of town, pro-immigrant protestors fired guns and set off fireworks, and a large group clad in red, white, and green jumped up and down in front of the explosions.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Saleh was the head coach for the New York Jets, but was unceremoniously fired after Week 6 in 2024.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
-
Nearly half a year since the infernos swept through their neighborhoods, thousands of people remain displaced – those like Mr. Quiroz’s mother, who lost homes, and those like Mr. Quiroz and his family, whose homes still stand.—
Melanie Stetson Freeman,
Christian Science Monitor,
20 June 2025
-
But Israel has also widened the scope of its strikes to hit economic targets, turning vital parts of Iran’s fossil fuel infrastructure into infernos.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Known for his breakout role in Snowfall, Idris brings intensity, precision, and charisma to a performance that demanded serious physical training, emotional depth, and even some real-life time on the track.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
27 June 2025
-
Yet, in the nearly two years since then, the brutality and intensity of Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip have mobilized opposition around the world.—
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Thankfully, Midas is now fully recovered from his gassy ordeal, and is back to his usual self, running around the house and enjoying life.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
-
Then, two weeks into my pre-op ordeal, a teenaged redhead came into my room.—
Noor Hassan,
Rolling Stone,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
In fact, scientists say today's children are exposed to far fewer antigens—the components that stimulate immune responses—than their grandparents were, despite receiving more immunizations overall.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The Cancer new moon stimulates your visionary capacities.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
Eight days later, in a game relocated to Glendale, Ariz., because of deadly wildfires in Southern California, Darnold was sacked nine times and had two turnovers (including a fumble returned for touchdown) in a 27-9 loss.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Nix turned the ball over just eight times and was sacked 20 times in those final 13 games.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Ohtani recorded two strikeouts while throwing 18 pitches, allowing his only baserunner on an error when Mookie Betts dropped a popup in the sun.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
-
Determined to defy the prognosis, Kamryn's dad threw himself into every possible treatment avenue—conventional and holistic.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2023
-
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.—
Neeti Mehra,
Treehugger,
13 Sep. 2023
Noun
-
Late last week, some influential Democrats were saying that Lamont’s enthusiasm for his chief regulator may have cooled after PURA conceded destruction of the text messages.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
-
Throughout, the cast of 17 exudes an unmistakable enthusiasm for the material, the onstage electricity radiating up the alpine slopes of the Guthrie’s expansive Wurtele Thrust.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share