1
as in infernos
a destructive burning
a number of suspicious fires in the neighborhood recently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ordeals
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
as in shoots
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force
police officers firing rubber bullets
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in stimulates
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 sacks
to let go from office, service, or employment
fired the secretary for incompetence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in throws
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 burns
to set (something) on fire
lit some kindling before attempting to fire the logs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fires
Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
These fires result in incomplete combustion, releasing a toxic slurry of carbon monoxide, soot, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides that can form acid rain, along with metallic compounds and oil droplets.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
Also, the group wants to hear from people who were homeless during the fires and from those who volunteered to help with their time, resources or donations, the county reported.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The person was identified by video and a witness and admitted setting the fires.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
At least three ships were struck by unknown weapons, possibly Iranian drones, igniting fires and leaving at least three crew members missing from a Thai boat that had to be evacuated, authorities said.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Year-to-date, the nation has recorded 7,895 fires and 385,991 acres burned, well above the 10-year average to date of 4,323 fires and 91,529 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 5 Mar. 2026
Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Gustavsson fires another gem Gustavsson continued his strong play since the Olympics by improving to 3-1.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Donaldson was placed on administrative leave for the shooting, which is standard any time an officer fires their gun for any reason, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
If a minor fires the gun and inflicts harm on themselves or another individual, the person who failed to store the gun properly could face a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $7,500, or both.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Magnano then fires nine shots toward Jones, Jones immediately collapses to the ground as people in the area could be heard letting out horrific screams and cries.
—Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
The following month, Iran fires nearly 200 missiles at Israel, which intercepts most of them but promises retaliation.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
After catching Whitney showboating on CNN, Henry fires Jacob, their accountant on the take.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
Simultaneous blasts rocked Beirut's southern suburbs late Wednesday, producing large fires and plumes of smoke.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
These fires result in incomplete combustion, releasing a toxic slurry of carbon monoxide, soot, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides that can form acid rain, along with metallic compounds and oil droplets.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
Also, the group wants to hear from people who were homeless during the fires and from those who volunteered to help with their time, resources or donations, the county reported.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The person was identified by video and a witness and admitted setting the fires.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
At least three ships were struck by unknown weapons, possibly Iranian drones, igniting fires and leaving at least three crew members missing from a Thai boat that had to be evacuated, authorities said.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Year-to-date, the nation has recorded 7,895 fires and 385,991 acres burned, well above the 10-year average to date of 4,323 fires and 91,529 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Gustavsson fires another gem Gustavsson continued his strong play since the Olympics by improving to 3-1.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Donaldson was placed on administrative leave for the shooting, which is standard any time an officer fires their gun for any reason, authorities said.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
If a minor fires the gun and inflicts harm on themselves or another individual, the person who failed to store the gun properly could face a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $7,500, or both.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Magnano then fires nine shots toward Jones, Jones immediately collapses to the ground as people in the area could be heard letting out horrific screams and cries.
—Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
The following month, Iran fires nearly 200 missiles at Israel, which intercepts most of them but promises retaliation.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
After catching Whitney showboating on CNN, Henry fires Jacob, their accountant on the take.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fires
Noun
-
The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Sterling shoots over 40% from range.—
Tarek Fattal,
Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Brandon Hagel shoots the wrong way and Oliver Bjorkstrand just hasn’t worked.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … MEDIA SELECTIVE SILENCE — British-Iranian actress blasts progressives for ignoring Iran killings.—
,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Costumed children and adults flood the streets, and music blasts from rooftop parties as residents party until dawn.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Another natural extract, from silk cotton tree flowers, stimulates the natural production of hyaluronic acid and helps water enter the skin cells.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Umami stimulates saliva secretion and helps with appetite.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Manning, back for what is probably his final season, is on the short list of best returning quarterbacks in the country and edge rusher Colin Simmons won the SEC sacks title with 12.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Riley Moss sacks a scrambling Trevor Lawrence on third-and-4 for a 1-yard loss.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Already on edge from a rough morning, John rips up the TV deal and throws it in Berman’s face.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The video shows a security guard holding back a male security guard who is moving toward a young man who throws his backpack on the ground, and appears ready to fight as the woman is being handcuffed.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If Sunday was any indication, the love affair between Avs fans and Kadri burns as hot as ever.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The white phosphorus then ignites and burns intensely, destroying the agents by incinerating them – a method meant to reduce the risk of spreading the materials and to limit potential harm to civilians and the surrounding environment.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fortunately, larger fuel sources like dense vegetation remain moist from heavy winter rains, and winds are predicted to be relatively light, conditions that together limit the danger of fast-spreading wildfires.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The data matches records of episodic droughts in Europe that may have triggered local wildfires.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fires. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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