Synonyms of fired

fired

verb

past tense of fire

1

as in launched

to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force

police officers firing rubber bullets

Synonyms & Similar Words

• launched
• threw
• blasted
• hurled
• discharged
• shot
• loosed
• projected
• squeezed off
• flung
• tossed
• slung
• cast
• heaved
• blazed (at)
• catapulted
• pelted
• lobbed
• sniped (at)
• pitched
• hurtled

2

as in blasted

to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force

soldiers fired at the enemy in panic-stricken disorder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blasted
• shot
• blazed
• discharged
• peppered
• sniped
• plinked
• potshot

3

as in stimulated

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

• stimulated
• stirred
• aroused
• provoked
• animated
• activated
• energized
• triggered
• awakened
• drove
• excited
• inspired
• spiked
• braced
• cheered
• electrified
• lifted
• charged
• invigorated
• enlivened
• propelled
• revived
• quickened
• sparked
• roused
• motivated
• recreated
• vitalized
• moved
• rallied
• zipped (up)
• awoke
• raised
• jump-started
• filliped
• boosted
• strengthened
• vivified
• juiced up
• pepped (up)
• livened (up)
• jazzed (up)
• motived
• amped (up)
• resurrected
• renewed
• gingered (up)
• actuated
• kindled
• impelled
• set off
• refreshed
• incited
• instigated
• galvanized
• fomented
• woke (up)
• reactivated
• infused
• emboldened
• inflamed
• turned on
• buoyed
• whipped (up)
• fermented
• regenerated
• recharged
• rekindled
• abetted
• reinvigorated
• heartened
• fortified
• resuscitated
• steeled
• enkindled
• rejuvenated
• revitalized
• reawakened
• restimulated
• reenergized
• reanimated
• refreshened
• reawoke

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• killed
• harassed
• exhausted
• dulled
• undermined
• drained
• dampened
• wore
• damped
• deadened
• weakened
• burned out
• knocked out
• fatigued
• checked
• washed out
• sapped
• slowed
• suppressed
• wearied
• restrained
• did in
• wore out
• inhibited
• debilitated
• enfeebled
• quenched
• enervated
• curbed
• stunted
• stilled
• fagged
• discouraged
• quelled
• repressed
• jaded
• disheartened
• tuckered (out)
• kayoed
• demoralized
• daunted
• dispirited

4

as in sacked

to let go from office, service, or employment

fired the secretary for incompetence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sacked
• dismissed
• removed
• retired
• released
• terminated
• axed
• discharged
• cashiered
• canned
• bounced
• mustered out
• pink-slipped
• sent packing
• turned off
• laid off
• downsized
• showed (someone) the door
• trimmed
• separated
• excessed
• kicked out
• furloughed
• unseated
• chucked (out)
• drummed (out)
• booted (out)
• threw out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• employed
• hired
• engaged
• retained
• signed (up or on)
• kept
• took on
• contracted
• rehired
• recruited
• reemployed
• subcontracted

5

as in threw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm

fired a pass to the running back

Synonyms & Similar Words

• threw
• hurled
• tossed
• slung
• flung
• launched
• heaved
• cast
• pegged
• lobbed
• catapulted
• pitched
• darted
• pelted
• chucked
• dashed
• hurtled
• bowled
• lofted
• let fly
• flipped
• gunned
• ejected
• rolled
• precipitated
• shot
• propelled
• passed
• hooked
• thrust
• projected
• impelled
• rifled
• bucked

6

as in burned

to set (something) on fire

lit some kindling before attempting to fire the logs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burned
• ignited
• lit
• torched
• scorched
• kindled
• enkindled
• inflamed
• baked
• illumined
• cooked
• illuminated
• immolated
• set off
• incinerated
• charred
• broiled
• ashed
• brightened
• lightened
• cremated
• irradiated
• relit
• deflagrated
• stoked
• seared
• reignited
• rekindled
• scalded
• radiated
• kilned
• banked
• frizzled
• scathed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extinguished
• put out
• quenched
• choked
• smothered
• stamped (out)
• doused
• obscured
• snuffed (out)
• suffocated
• dimmed
• blackened
• darkened
• dulled

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fired

The agreement brings back fired federal workers and funds food assistance at higher levels — but only includes the promise of a vote to renew expiring Obamacare subsidies that were at the heart of the shutdown. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025

Most college coaches are fired without cause. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025

The news comes a week after the school fired football head coach Brian Kelly and then former athletic director Scott Woodward a few days later. —Chris Vannini, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025

In 1981, 13,000 air traffic controllers went on strike following negotiations over pay and work schedules, but the Reagan administration fired 11,000 of them and barred them from ever working for the federal government again. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025