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
Claire Franken, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
The task force model was previously in place but came under fire for racial profiling concerns and civil rights violations.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Gary Graff, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
Kaplan fired Weinstein on Father’s Day in 2022.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Noun
Sheriff Country has its own fires to put out in Edgewater.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
The task force model was previously in place but came under fire for racial profiling concerns and civil rights violations.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Spinderella, who joined the rap group during 1986, was fired during 2019 just as Salt-N-Pepa began a run on New Kids on the Block’s Mixtape Tour.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
Kaplan fired Weinstein on Father’s Day in 2022.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
-
What began as a small brush fire on federal land soon roared into an inferno that would later reignite as the Palisades Fire, scorching more than 200 acres across the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Los Angeles — Nine months after a raging inferno decimated the Los Angeles area, claiming the lives of a dozen people and burning down thousands of homes and businesses, officials have arrested a suspect in Florida on suspicion of arson.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That intensity wasn’t reserved for game day, either.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Game 4 was high-intensity from the jump with Cristopher Sanchez and Tyler Glasnow going head-to-head in a pitchers' duel.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
An epilogue sequence shows Lo has returned to work and written a story about the whole ordeal focused on Anne's contributions to cancer research.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In the below conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Latimer opens up about the ordeal and his Survivor journey cut short.—
Terry Terrones,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fede Dorcaz, an Argentine singer and model, died Thursday night when he was fatally shot by armed motorcyclists in Mexico City.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Mayor John Lee told CNN that 16 people were shot and four were killed near downtown Leland around midnight.—
Michelle Watson,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And some blasts from the past like Marian Gaborik, Andrew Brunette and, of course, Mikko Koivu.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
That ink or chocolate stain may never come out once your favorite shirt is blasted by hot air.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Certain probiotics also stimulate intestinal muscles to contract more effectively, which can move stool in your colon.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Programs where major companies stimulate the market for clean technologies have an important role to play and will need to continue and expand.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His uncles got sacked, picked off, hit in the mouth, too; both of them got up to ultimately win.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Phillips sacked Rodgers, a key play in the fourth quarter of a close game.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lawrence threw a long pass that went off the hands of Jaguars receiver Tim Patrick, then deflected off Chiefs defensive back Trent McDuffie.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Pinned inside their own 20-yard line, Lawrence threw a short pass intended for receiver Parker Washington.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share