fire 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3

fire

2 of 3

verb (1)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
6

fire (up)

3 of 3

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
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2018 and 2022, an average of 835 home fires started with decorations, with a third traced back to candles. Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 Forty years of metal, forged in steel, ending in fire. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
The former San Diego Association of Governments accounting official who was fired after exposing errors in the state Route 125 toll-collection system has been awarded millions of dollars as a result of her treatment. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025 Cheney fired and struck Whittington in the face, neck and torso. Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
  • Spoelstra was remarkably upbeat before the game, offering gratitude for the outpouring of support from the NBA community and expressing relief that nobody was injured in the inferno.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
  • After it was revealed that Vince didn't make it out of the inferno, his son Bode (Max Thieriot) and wife Sharon (Diane Farr) were devastated by the loss.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Their weakness is an inability to maintain a consistent intensity throughout an entire game.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The country’s meteorological agency PAGASA upgraded the storm to a super typhoon on its intensity scale, recording maximum wind speeds of 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts of 230 kph (143 mph).
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Ultimately, the hotel did not profit from the ordeal after compensation was eventually given to those affected, investigators found.
    Ryan Cormier, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Fatal Attraction — about a married man (Michael Douglas) whose one-night affair with a woman (Close) turns into a dangerous ordeal — earned six Oscar nominations upon its initial release, including one for Close's performance and another for Best Picture.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Experts in the field of veteran care share Worthington’s enthusiasm.
    Adam Stone, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
  • November 11, 2025 Chinese consumers were once flooded with enthusiasm over Valentine’s Day, the unofficial Cyber-Valentine’s Day (520) and tradition-rich Qixi.
    Yiling Pan, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The divisional gauntlet continues with the Bengals twice and the Steelers once over the next five weeks.
    Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The trail through this passage is narrow and lined with signature desert plants — which is to say my path became a gauntlet of tiny, stabbing swords.
    Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The Mercury retrograde that backstrokes in Pisces from February 26 to March 20 makes our emotions extremely tender.
    Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025
  • During her interview with host Jimmy Fallon, Lawrence was jokingly overcome with emotion and broke into dramatic sobs multiple times.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Virtual and physical demonstrations and presentations familiarized the audience, a cross-section of entertainment, finance and technology pros, with the companies’ innovations and ambitions.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Reggaeton is one of the most popular genres in the world, a cross between reggae and hip-hop and Afro Caribbean sounds.
    Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Featuring three layers of high-density memory foam, the slippers also provide support that’s comfortable enough for all-day wear—not just warmth.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Despite its lightweight feel, the crew neckline and long sleeves provide cozy warmth, especially when buttoned up over a tank top or T-shirt.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!