fire 1 of 2

noun

ˈfī(-ə)r How to pronounce fire (audio)
Definition of firenext
1
as in inferno
a destructive burning a number of suspicious fires in the neighborhood recently

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in intensity
depth of feeling had she the fire in her heart that a run for the White House requires?

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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

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fire

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to shoot
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force police officers firing rubber bullets

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to blast
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force soldiers fired at the enemy in panic-stricken disorder

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment fired the secretary for incompetence

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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

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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
Noun
The death toll from a huge fire in a Bangkok music bar has increased to 30, officials said Tuesday. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Verb
Though his tail was wagging, the dog immediately bounded down the hallway toward an officer, who fired his service pistol four times, killing the dog. — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 Memphis police say National Guard troops fired their weapons in the early morning hours Sunday, killing a man who was armed with a handgun. — Joel Rose, NPR, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
  1. inferno
  2. intensity
  3. ordeal
  4. shoot
  5. blast
  6. stimulate
  7. sack
  8. throw
Noun
  • Sunday’s temperature for the men’s final is forecast to be around 82 degrees—hot, yes, but nothing like the inferno that was Paris—and so external factors would seem to be at a minimum.
    — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • At least 12 people have been killed in one of southern Spain’s worst-ever wildfires, local officials said Friday, as tragic stories emerge of victims’ attempts to flee the inferno.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of inferno
Noun
  • No player approaching 40 can press or attack with the same intensity throughout the whole match.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • That combination helped the Dream return to their identity and intensity for all four quarters.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • Through their fantastical ordeals, the X-Men illustrate qualities that inspire viewers, young and old.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Incident comes after tenants’ lawsuit The ordeal comes less than a week after eight tenants with the North Lawn Tenant Union filed lawsuits against Levovitz, according to a July 2 news release from Joseph.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Definition of ordeal
Verb
  • Gilmore, who was near the stage, was shot in the head and died at the scene.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • The Kings shot 47% from the free-throw line and committed 28 turnovers in a 115-83 loss to the Brooklyn Nets at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, but there was one big bright spot.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of shoot
Verb
  • In a blistering statement released after Wednesday’s vote, the mayor’s office blasted the commission and longtime Chair Robb Pitts, who recently lost his reelection bid to former Commissioner Mo Ivory.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
  • During a one-man show, the sound of rain and thunder blasted above the crowd gathered at his feet.
    — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Definition of blast
Verb
  • The formula includes collagen-stimulating copper peptides and Matrixyl 3000 (a gentle retinol alternative) to quite-literally make the skin age in reverse.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • The process involved suctioning the newborn's airway and stimulating him.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of stimulate
Verb
  • At Universal Studios’ CityWalk, the original from the film — last seen on screen in flames as Troy was brutally sacked by Damon’s army of rampaging Greeks — is on display outside the AMC Universal Cinema.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 July 2026
  • This time last year, the 52-year-old was sacked as Red Bull’s team principal after 20 years.
    — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of sack
Verb
  • All the gold is gone, and there’s barely enough to pay her soldiers, let alone throw a lavish coronation.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • California’s court systems have also thrown their weight behind the plaintiffs in the case.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of throw

Phrases Containing fire

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fins
fire
fire and brimstone
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Cite this Entry

“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fire

Nglish: Translation of fire for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fire

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