fire 1 of 3

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

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2
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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

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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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3
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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
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be? (1) Infrastructure in forms of roads and increased police and fire due to the growing population. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025 Fir is fire resistant and does not require any chemical treatments—which is critical to avoid impacting the taste of wine in the cellars. Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
To understand why, consider the Stinger: a surface-to-air missile with infrared capabilities to home in on targets but that is lightweight and shoulder fired. Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 The idea that Trump would try to fire Powell has been frequently speculated on, in part due to the president’s harsh public comments. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
  • The documentary captures a sheriff’s deputy reminiscing about her car slowing in the middle of an inferno as her tires melted.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In between those stretches, Minnesota was a blazing inferno, hitting 20 of 35 attempts from beyond the arc to blitz the Lakers in Game 1.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Within a few years, the intensity and demands of their big lives and careers brought new pressure — and problems for the couple.
    Liz McNeil, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The Kp index — which provides a rough guide to the intensity of aurora displays — may reach 6, which will see the auroral oval stretch farther south.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Four other individuals hid in a storage closet throughout the ordeal.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The five-hour ordeal ended after the hostage fled while retrieving water, prompting Akkad to chase him into the street, where he was hit by a police car.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The enthusiasm has spawned an industry that turns offal—a catchall term for an animal’s nonmuscular parts—into pill or powdered form.
    Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
  • With 10 other governors in the room, the bipartisan enthusiasm was clear: States are committed to expanding opportunities that give students real-world learning experiences and clear pathways to economic mobility.
    Sara Schapiro, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Every week is a fresh start with a new gauntlet and a new Snake.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The trio must tag team to outsmart a cunning international thief and save a priceless diamond gauntlet — just in time for Christmas.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Try to identify emotions beyond frustration, annoyance or other shades of anger.
    Caroline Fleck, Contributor, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
  • There are moments of levity scattered throughout, a necessity when dealing with subject matter as harsh and cold as inevitable mortality, but they're surgically placed to extract the most emotion out of the player.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Other architectural details reveal the building’s history, from the cross above Rumi Bar’s entrance from its time as a church to the remarkable archaeological discoveries made on-site, including ancient mummies.
    Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • On Saturday morning the funeral will begin with a procession, led by a priest carrying a cross, the New York Times reports.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The conversation revealed Francis' characteristic warmth and accessibility, moving many participants to tears.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • From red hair and circular blush at Coachella to the resurrection of minimal manicures for Easter, this week’s celebrity beauty moments were all about warmth and length for spring.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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