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
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 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
Trailing by 11 points going into the fourth period, Kennedy trimmed its deficit to three points several times in the quarter but couldn’t catch Palisades, whose students recently returned to campus after being displaced by fires in January 2025.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
The National Guard provides help for floods, fires and other disasters in red and blue states across the country, including in Florida.
—Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
The utility blamed melting snow combined with road salt for triggering manhole fires that knocked out power to portions of Bushwick, Flatbush, Williamsburg and Park Slope.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Two more fires are burning in the Hill Country, where crews continue to work to get them under control.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The Florida Panthers’ captain and top-line center then glides into the left circle, quickly changes direction and fires toward the net.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Levi shoves someone just out of the frame, demands to know who threw stones, and later fires a shot, seemingly away from the crowd.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
At noon each day, a cannon placed on the Janiculum Hill fires a blank shot in unison with the ringing bells of Rome’s churches.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
In the footage, Morgan appears to grab and hold the rifle in his right hand, muzzle pointed at the ground, as one officer then fires his service weapon a total of 11 times, striking Morgan.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
Desire fires him, cuts him to pieces, lambastes him.
—Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 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
Trailing by 11 points going into the fourth period, Kennedy trimmed its deficit to three points several times in the quarter but couldn’t catch Palisades, whose students recently returned to campus after being displaced by fires in January 2025.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
The National Guard provides help for floods, fires and other disasters in red and blue states across the country, including in Florida.
—Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
The utility blamed melting snow combined with road salt for triggering manhole fires that knocked out power to portions of Bushwick, Flatbush, Williamsburg and Park Slope.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Two more fires are burning in the Hill Country, where crews continue to work to get them under control.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The Florida Panthers’ captain and top-line center then glides into the left circle, quickly changes direction and fires toward the net.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Levi shoves someone just out of the frame, demands to know who threw stones, and later fires a shot, seemingly away from the crowd.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
At noon each day, a cannon placed on the Janiculum Hill fires a blank shot in unison with the ringing bells of Rome’s churches.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
In the footage, Morgan appears to grab and hold the rifle in his right hand, muzzle pointed at the ground, as one officer then fires his service weapon a total of 11 times, striking Morgan.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
Desire fires him, cuts him to pieces, lambastes him.
—Literary Hub, 6 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
-
Maybe the absence of specific settings doesn’t matter that much, but the auto-da-fé scene is anything but clear — and who shoots Rodrigo?—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
After rescuing her daughter, Sid shoots both Marco and Jessica dead (the latter with a Tatum assist) before getting anything resembling a cogent explanation.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Lego Icons Project Hail Mary Spacecraft Project Hail Mary blasts into theaters March 20, but fans can start the adventure early by building a microscale replica of the spacecraft ahead of the film’s release.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The quiet house plus the optimism of the dawn stimulates my creativity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
-
One theory is that vinegar stimulates nerve receptors in the mouth, signaling the brain to calm the cramping.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 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
-
Coleman fields a grounder and throws it to second, bringing up the bottom of the third.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Brown responds by shoving the officer's hand down, and after the second shove, the officer throws two punches.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But Mom, though we are surrounded by so much darkness and uncertainty, our love burns bright.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But her desire to compete at a high level still burns deep.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two of the most destructive wildfires ever in California erupted on the same day last January.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Douglas County is expanding its emergency response tools with a new Hi-Lo siren system designed to warn residents in the Colorado county of life-threatening situations during wildfires and other emergencies.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fires. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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