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
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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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of fires
Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
In the late 1800s, three major fires happened on the block, and the last one burned all the way through what’s now Buzzard Roost.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
And in 2018, the Camp fires in California closed schools for almost a million students and impacted more than 1,500 schools.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
For months, amongst each other and in groups online, Altadena residents have wondered whether something else might have started fires earlier in their neighborhood.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Anne’s sure that Rafferty will handle it, a remark that inspires to make an allusion to Rafferty sparking fires in the hearts of others.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
The cause of the fires is still under investigation.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
One deputy stops his SUV, opens the door, stands up from the driver’s seat and immediately fires two shots at the fleeing suspect.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
There's an accelerator that fires electrons at a piece of metal to generate those X-rays.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025
The loitering munition systems empowers the warfighter with quick and easy deployment via tube-launch, and the capability to fly, track and engage non-line-of-sight targets and armored vehicles with precision lethal effects without the need for external ISR or fires assets.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Stepped up against pressure, footwork wasn’t great, fires a duck over the head of Courtland Sutton that’s picked off by Cam Bynum.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Spotting movement in the nearby brush, Auggie fires his shotgun and blasts off the hands of a shocked, screaming extraterrestrial.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Bolt action rifles mean one pull of the trigger fires a round, then a shooter must manually chamber another round.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
North Korea fires solid rocket motor.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
Earlier this year, following the devastating Los Angeles-area fires, the plan was allowed to seek $1 billion from insurance companies, half of which could ultimately be paid for by policyholders from those companies.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
In the late 1800s, three major fires happened on the block, and the last one burned all the way through what’s now Buzzard Roost.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
And in 2018, the Camp fires in California closed schools for almost a million students and impacted more than 1,500 schools.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
For months, amongst each other and in groups online, Altadena residents have wondered whether something else might have started fires earlier in their neighborhood.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Anne’s sure that Rafferty will handle it, a remark that inspires to make an allusion to Rafferty sparking fires in the hearts of others.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
The cause of the fires is still under investigation.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Working together through that fires me up.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
One deputy stops his SUV, opens the door, stands up from the driver’s seat and immediately fires two shots at the fleeing suspect.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
There's an accelerator that fires electrons at a piece of metal to generate those X-rays.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025
The loitering munition systems empowers the warfighter with quick and easy deployment via tube-launch, and the capability to fly, track and engage non-line-of-sight targets and armored vehicles with precision lethal effects without the need for external ISR or fires assets.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Stepped up against pressure, footwork wasn’t great, fires a duck over the head of Courtland Sutton that’s picked off by Cam Bynum.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 14 Sep. 2025
Spotting movement in the nearby brush, Auggie fires his shotgun and blasts off the hands of a shocked, screaming extraterrestrial.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Bolt action rifles mean one pull of the trigger fires a round, then a shooter must manually chamber another round.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
North Korea fires solid rocket motor.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fires
Noun
-
Kruse and Fialko invested seven figures into rebuilding Priscilla’s brand, stabilizing her finances, settling her lawsuits, cleaning up numerous private family ordeals, and attempting to help Priscilla repair her relationship with her daughter.—
Michaela Zee,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The 6-6 Tyson can handle the ball like a guard, shoots well enough to keep defenses honest and shows a plus IQ at both ends.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His approach requires long exposure times, so Lum usually shoots early in the morning before shops and restaurants open.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a short Instagram video announcing the news, Snoop is seen with his back to the camera standing on what looks like a snowy mountaintop while the Olympic fanfare blasts out.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Given the right series of chances, players could potentially construct a build that blasts thunder and chains together static strikes that will cripple entire rooms of foes at once.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The caffeine in coffee stimulates the nervous system.—
Team Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Connie and Tristan are testing a new drug that stimulates the feel-good dopamine receptors in the brain.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Felix Anudike-Uzomah #97 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The Oviedo defense sacks Noah Grubbs on back to back plays to end the first half.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Mahomes set the tone for Worthy with their deep 37-yard connection early, but the two vintage Mahomes throws came later — a fade in the second quarter to Travis Kelce and his fourth and final touchdown to Hollywood Brown in the fourth quarter.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Prescott completed 12 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown on those 14 throws under pressure.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In fact, Anderson is laughing at both sides while the world burns.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Oil splatters can leave a residue that burns onto the stovetop.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Throughout his career, Zilber helped plant millions of trees and was a part of the state's response efforts for severe weather events, including wildfires, floods and tornadoes.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The number of people using the FAIR plan for fire insurance has increased dramatically in recent years as companies have pulled back business in the state due to losses caused by major wildfires arising from risks due to climate change and other factors.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fires. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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