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
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the dynamic speaker fired up the audience as no one had previously done
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
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
What’s more, Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former Ryukyu Kingdom center, is set to reopen in fall 2026, after rebuilding from a 2019 fire.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Judy Berman, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Kennedy fired and replaced all the members of that advisory committee last year.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fire
Noun
But this latest closure — what appears to be the longest in Highway 1’s 90-year history — raises new questions about how the highway can survive amid increasingly strong and unpredictable storms, seas and fires.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
What’s more, Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former Ryukyu Kingdom center, is set to reopen in fall 2026, after rebuilding from a 2019 fire.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, whose resume in this genre includes the Aquaman movies as well as HBO’s subversive Watchmen series, is our self-sabotaging would-be hero, Simon Williams, a struggling actor first seen getting fired from American Horror Story for overthinking a minor role.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Kennedy fired and replaced all the members of that advisory committee last year.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
-
In a disturbing incident in the northern city of Rasht, regime forces shot unarmed civilians trying to escape an inferno engulfing its bazaar.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Jonathan Rinderknecht has been charged with setting the fire that grew into the massive inferno.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Short-Track Speed Skating 1500m final, often a highlight for its intensity and adrenaline-inducing turns, will take place on February 12.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
UConn athletes embody that reality every day — balancing intensity, visibility, and packed schedules.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
My dad for enduring his heart transplant ordeal and surviving against all odds and my mom for her undying loyalty and being the best teammate of all time!—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Sweeney posted a video of the ordeal to her Instagram on Monday night.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
An hour in McIntyre’s company is a warm, convivial whirlwind of enthusiasm, jokes and anecdotes.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Yet, his enthusiasm is tempered by the valuable lessons from his past work in healthcare AI, reminding us of the importance of learning from each step of our journey.—
Sarwant Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the final, Black & Alshon threw down the gauntlet, beating the top pair in three straight for gold.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Amid the gauntlet of billboards touting fast food, urgent care and gasoline, along busy Route 41 is one that stands out more than ever now.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Your team acts as the buffer between your emotions and the buyer’s demands.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These are the romance movies that lean into big emotions, meaningful connections, and the kind of love that lingers long after the credits roll — and will likely leave you balling your eyes out.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Styles hit a cross body to the outside and sold his ribs.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
In Hoffman’s hands, Elliot looks like a cross between the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman (the young actor’s dad) and a roguishly handsome member of the Kennedy clan.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Antiques layered into a comfortable, practical palette help strike the balance between austerity and warmth.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2026
-
However, 2023 research from Emotion demonstrates that when people receive positive responses — such as warmth, affirmation or approval — their brains treat it as a reward.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
