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
Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Last year, six people died in lithium-ion battery fires citywide, FDNY officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2025
Finally, there were several unsportsmanlike penalties last year against players who celebrated a play by pretending to fire a gun.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Noun
The Journal Sentinel obtained the last fire inspection report for the property at 4451 S. Whitnall Ave. dated Aug. 20, 2024.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Last year, six people died in lithium-ion battery fires citywide, FDNY officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Newton was hired in March after the commission voted to fire Downs in a seemingly sudden move.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2025
Finally, there were several unsportsmanlike penalties last year against players who celebrated a play by pretending to fire a gun.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
-
Taylor Swift poured tanks of gasoline on social media, struck a match and lit the internet in an inferno of excitement.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
13 Aug. 2025
-
It is not yet known whether the person died in the inferno or drowned.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
Cuomo would also have to demonstrate to the public how detrimental a Mamdani win would be to New York City and the Democratic Party, and deliver a higher level of intensity and passion in his messaging.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
La Costa’s group fitness classes span everything from yoga, spin, and Pilates to power boxing, high intensity interval training, and cardiovascular boot camp.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In the interview, Dunst shared that the medical ordeal took place while Plemons, 37, and their children were staying with her in the Hungarian capital.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Contrast that with today’s college move-in days, which involve whole families helping the college student—and so much stuff U-Haul has an entire section of its website devoted to the ordeal… er, experience.—
Catherine Salfino,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Typically, a sluggish economy leads to low inflation, allowing the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to stimulate more borrowing and activity.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Deadheading helps prevent the formation of seeds and stimulates additional flowering.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
He certainly will not be sacked, as Emery essentially runs all things football at Villa now.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Wilson led the Dolphins to touchdowns on both his drives after replacing Tagovailoa for the second series of a 24-24 tie with Chicago last week, and he was sacked four times.—
Jack Magruder,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The price, which can be tracked even in reputable financial outlets including Forbes, spiked the day after Lopez threw his at the Phoenix Mercury game.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Stanton is getting time there because Aaron Judge is recovering from an elbow injury and there are mixed messages about how much throwing the two-time MVP can do at this point.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2023
-
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.—
Neeti Mehra,
Treehugger,
13 Sep. 2023
Noun
-
Institutional enthusiasm for digital assets is rising, and the U.S. regulatory climate has grown friendlier, even as the economics of mining face more pressure from bitcoin’s quadrennial halving.—
Becca Bratcher,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The market has been buoyed by a strong corporate earnings season and undeterred investor enthusiasm about AI.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share