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
Roley, who was found dead near the scene after appearing to have shot himself, is suspected of lighting the brush with a flint fire starter before ambushing the firefighting crew in a mountainous area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025 Israel and Iran exchanged heavy fire for the eighth straight day on Friday, with Iranian missiles striking Israeli cities and Israeli jets targeting military and nuclear sites across Iran. Amanda Castro peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Verb
Sirens blared, the fires raged on, cars flew in and out of the center of town, pro-immigrant protestors fired guns and set off fireworks, and a large group clad in red, white, and green jumped up and down in front of the explosions. Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025 Saleh was the head coach for the New York Jets, but was unceremoniously fired after Week 6 in 2024. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
  • Nearly half a year since the infernos swept through their neighborhoods, thousands of people remain displaced – those like Mr. Quiroz’s mother, who lost homes, and those like Mr. Quiroz and his family, whose homes still stand.
    Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 20 June 2025
  • But Israel has also widened the scope of its strikes to hit economic targets, turning vital parts of Iran’s fossil fuel infrastructure into infernos.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • Known for his breakout role in Snowfall, Idris brings intensity, precision, and charisma to a performance that demanded serious physical training, emotional depth, and even some real-life time on the track.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 27 June 2025
  • Yet, in the nearly two years since then, the brutality and intensity of Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip have mobilized opposition around the world.
    Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Thankfully, Midas is now fully recovered from his gassy ordeal, and is back to his usual self, running around the house and enjoying life.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • Then, two weeks into my pre-op ordeal, a teenaged redhead came into my room.
    Noor Hassan, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Late last week, some influential Democrats were saying that Lamont’s enthusiasm for his chief regulator may have cooled after PURA conceded destruction of the text messages.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
  • Throughout, the cast of 17 exudes an unmistakable enthusiasm for the material, the onstage electricity radiating up the alpine slopes of the Guthrie’s expansive Wurtele Thrust.
    Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Ninja Gaiden Photo: Courtesy of Nintendo The ’80s were the golden age for video-game difficulty, and the NES boasted an oppressive gauntlet of Battletoads, Contra, and the early Mega Man games.
    Luke Winkie, Vulture, 18 June 2025
  • As the morning trickled on, fans lined up in a gauntlet outside the bar, hopefully keeping watch for golf carts from Las Olas Isles.
    Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • This represents the triumph of emotion over legal reasoning.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025
  • The teams don’t play each other again until August, so there’s plenty of time for emotions to cool.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The full-back gets his assist (his cross for Kalulu’s own goal is not counted) for Haaland’s tap-in.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The ramps were configured as a giant cross, with the furthest tip reaching all the way to the loge seats on the far end of the floor.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Global visitors can experience the richness, warmth and diversity of U.S. destinations and people.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Her warmth and humor and affection stayed hidden behind a wall of invulnerability.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 5 Jul. 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!