as in guns
a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder
soldiers grabbing their arms and helmets and heading into battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in departments
a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization
a company that needs to beef up its marketing arm if it wants to compete in today's business world
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in bays
a part of a body of water that extends beyond the general shoreline
this arm of the Atlantic is surprisingly peaceful, as the stronger ocean currents do not reach this far
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in capes
an area of land that juts out into a body of water
Maine has so many long, narrow arms that jut out into the ocean that early coastal settlers found it much easier to travel by sea
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in powers
the right or means to command or control others
few criminals manage to permanently escape the long arm of the law
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 arms
Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
The question facing the justices is whether that requirement for advance permission violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
The researchers also found that at least four of the woman’s long bones – femur (or thigh bone), humerus from both upper arms and ulna from the forearm – were modified before she was laid to rest.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
The couple packed on the PDA, holding hands, wrapping their arms around each other, kissing, and glancing lovingly at one another.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 9 June 2026
Police said the woman had scratch marks on her arms.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Victor Rivas, 40, sustained injuries to his arms and was treated at a hospital before he was booked into jail on allegations of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and being a fugitive from adjacent Jefferson Parish, Louisiana State Police said.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 9 June 2026
In the background, in the doorway of a crumbling stone building, stands a tiny, faceless figure, her arms held neatly behind her back.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Noun
Authorities said Beisel had suffered superficial stab wounds to her neck and arms and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
The question facing the justices is whether that requirement for advance permission violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
The researchers also found that at least four of the woman’s long bones – femur (or thigh bone), humerus from both upper arms and ulna from the forearm – were modified before she was laid to rest.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
The couple packed on the PDA, holding hands, wrapping their arms around each other, kissing, and glancing lovingly at one another.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 9 June 2026
Police said the woman had scratch marks on her arms.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Victor Rivas, 40, sustained injuries to his arms and was treated at a hospital before he was booked into jail on allegations of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and being a fugitive from adjacent Jefferson Parish, Louisiana State Police said.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 9 June 2026
In the background, in the doorway of a crumbling stone building, stands a tiny, faceless figure, her arms held neatly behind her back.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arms
Noun
-
Four men jumped out of the Cadillac, all armed with semi-automatic guns and wearing balaclavas, though victim 1 told the FBI recognized Phihoang and at least two other men, the complaint said.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
-
Then there is the danger with the carrying of guns and threats to seniors.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Palm Beach County as a whole could lose about $324 million in 2028, which would cut right into the $609 million budget used for 30 departments.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Emergency physicians do not control inpatient staffing, discharge bottlenecks, rehabilitation placement delays, or bed availability, yet emergency departments absorb the consequences when hospitals operate beyond capacity.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Normally, that water has been discharged into local creeks and bays.—
Michelle Hummel,
Fortune,
25 May 2026
-
Normally, that water has been discharged into local creeks and bays.—
Michelle Hummel,
The Conversation,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Not all heroes wear capes, and some of them don’t wear suits at all while saving the day.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
-
Stone swapped out her gowns and XXL capes in favor of an office siren style moment.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
Invading during inopportune weather would spell certain doom for Allied troops and a potentially fatal blow to their efforts against the Axis powers.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Flanagan has targeted Craig for her support in 2025 of the Laken Riley Act, which expanded federal immigration enforcement powers.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The Olive and June product can also be applied daily to bare nails as an intensive strengthening treatment that not only fortifies your claws, but also repairs ridges, discoloration, and pesky peeling along the way.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
The Plumb Club is involved in this effort because presenting third-party assurances of an item’s sourcing and production history builds customer trust, drives sales and thus fortifies the gem, jewelry and watch industries.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
In a search of Jennings’ home after his arrest, authorities found multiple firearms, rifles and dozens of rounds of ammunition.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Two firearms were also seized during the searches, deputies said.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Variations in measurements by different agencies are common in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
The models have shown themselves adept at finding security flaws in software, creating concerns that adversaries could use them to launch cyberattacks on government agencies, banks and critical infrastructure.—
Cat Zakrzewski The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arms. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
