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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of arms
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 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, 24 Feb. 2026
While the exterior is technically complete, there's still work to be done over the next eight years in the church, including decorative elements, the cladding on the arms of the cross, and sculptures – including the Agnus Dei, or the Lamb of God.
—New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
Trim the root end and fronds (the branchy arms) off the fennel bulb and discard, then cut the bulb in half.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
When Epstein was indicted for a second time in 2019, federal prosecutors tried to get their arms around Epstein’s finances – including his dealings with Wexner.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
The Dodgers have at least four healthy bullpen arms that would close for San Francisco right now.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Early childhood advocates were delighted when he was sworn into office seven years ago, his arms around his scene-stealing 2-year-old son.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
To this end, the EU has now established an extraordinary instrument, called Security Action for Europe, or SAFE, that is prepared to fund up to $178 billion in upgrades to the continent’s capacity to produce and procure arms.
—Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
From intelligence, the defense minister said the military knew the kingpin's security detail was heavily armed – outfitted with long arms and rocket launchers – and troops planned for a siege.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 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, 24 Feb. 2026
While the exterior is technically complete, there's still work to be done over the next eight years in the church, including decorative elements, the cladding on the arms of the cross, and sculptures – including the Agnus Dei, or the Lamb of God.
—New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
Trim the root end and fronds (the branchy arms) off the fennel bulb and discard, then cut the bulb in half.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
When Epstein was indicted for a second time in 2019, federal prosecutors tried to get their arms around Epstein’s finances – including his dealings with Wexner.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
The Dodgers have at least four healthy bullpen arms that would close for San Francisco right now.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Early childhood advocates were delighted when he was sworn into office seven years ago, his arms around his scene-stealing 2-year-old son.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
To this end, the EU has now established an extraordinary instrument, called Security Action for Europe, or SAFE, that is prepared to fund up to $178 billion in upgrades to the continent’s capacity to produce and procure arms.
—Joseph De Weck, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arms
Verb
-
Trading for Vucevic fortifies Boston’s front court–and provides a valuable play-making skill set to complement Jaylen Brown in a season worthy of MVP consideration.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond aesthetics, the $11 formula fortifies your fingernails, no matter how damaged.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The ban will remain in place while the government prepares to appeal, said Haroon Siddique in The Guardian.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This cleanup not only enhances your lawn's appearance but also prepares it for healthy, robust growth as warmer days approach.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The country’s economic crimes unit has opened a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland — who also once headed the committee that hands out the Nobel Peace Prize — over his ties with Epstein.—
Jill Lawless,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
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This single fine is close to the normal total of $8 million to $10 million in all fines that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hands out each year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When a team allots minutes to so many young players simultaneously, lapses in concentration and on-court mistakes are bound to happen.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At times, his social role will overlap with that of other weight-room regulars, not least of which is the gym grandpa, who hangs around and shoots the breeze and doles out tips on how to lift.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Lambert’s script doles out details in small measures, requiring patience from her audience.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The answer begins with understanding a trade chart — a diagram that assigns a numerical value to every pick in the draft.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Heldman and Nicholson’s lucid, intelligent script thus assigns characters very different, more nuanced motivations from those we are used to in iterations of this story.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the big picture, the district currently allocates extra resources based mainly on which schools are performing worse on academic measures, not race.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The school allocates 5,000 tickets (or more, depending on demand) to students for football games.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shred the Stigma is a local organization that distributes naloxone and provides education and equipment for safe drug use across much of the Oklahoma City metro area.—
Ari Fife,
The Frontier,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide.—
Erika Tulfo,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arms. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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