fire 1 of 3

1
as in inferno
a destructive burning a number of suspicious fires in the neighborhood recently

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fire

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verb (1)

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

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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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fire (up)

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verb (2)

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
Currently, there is no data indicating the containment progress of the fire and its cause remains unknown. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025 The most recent incarnation of the lodge had been operational since 1937, after a kitchen fire burned down the original in 1932. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Verb
Still, a few days later, she got fired, Dwyer said in her memo. Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 14 July 2025 Apparently, Señor Musk is now working for the government and firing a lot of people from their jobs—and really enjoying it. Larry David, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
  • The issue was brought to his attention by reporting from The Bee and other news outlets highlighting a stark difference between state and federal law concerning who can be licensed to work with high-grade explosives like those that sparked an inferno in Esparto on July 1.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2025
  • Edison International Chief Executive Pedro Pizarro told The Times in April that evidence including videos and data from the lines suggests the possibility that the idle equipment was reenergized through a phenomenon called induction and sparked the inferno.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Progress slowly: Gradually increase the intensity of your workouts to avoid overtraining.
    Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 22 July 2025
  • The series started its action intensity high, with explosions, fist fights, hit-and-run accidents, and department moles in the first episode, but didn’t have anywhere to go from there.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • One reported attendee live-tweeted the entire ordeal and claimed Ye started the show over 45 minutes late.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 14 July 2025
  • Taissa Farmiga, who plays Gladys, graciously spoke with The Hollywood Reporter and answered several questions regarding her beloved character’s state of mind throughout this especially harrowing ordeal.
    Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • There is perhaps even more diversity around technology transfer, with rules, attitudes and enthusiasm varying significantly between universities.
    Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • But its interest would set off a free-for-all among large railroads and pose a test of the Trump administration’s enthusiasm for industrial consolidation.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Not helping that skepticism was the gauntlet Gurnee strategically set up at three major Grand Avenue intersections, from Route 21 west to Hunt Club Road.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • And with that, the Dodgers reached the end of a 10-game gauntlet against their closest pursuers in the National League West, the Padres and San Francisco Giants.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The prefrontal cortex – the area of the brain that regulates emotions, behavior and memory processing – is the last region to connect to others, one which may not fully integrate until the third decade of life.
    The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • The moment was filled with conflicting emotions, a mix of gratitude and solemn reflection.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • This Brazilian Portuguese film streaming on Netflix this weekend looks like a charming cross between Father of the Bride and National Lampoon's Vacation.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 17 July 2025
  • The fire burned an area about 30 feet by 30 feet, including religious items such as Nativity scene, a cross and a Star of David.
    Cameron Macdonald, Mercury News, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Hospitality, for us, is a reflection of our values—warmth, generosity, and community.
    Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Science backs this up: Simple expressions of warmth can lower stress hormones for both giver and receiver.
    Belal Aftab, Mercury News, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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