1
as in shooting
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force
police officers firing rubber bullets
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in discharging
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force
soldiers fired at the enemy in panic-stricken disorder
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in stimulating
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 sacking
to let go from office, service, or employment
fired the secretary for incompetence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in throwing
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
fired a pass to the running back
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6
as in burning
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 firing
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Hansen refers to a reduction of food imports to Gaza from 2007 to 2010 without indicating the ongoing firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas during that period.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
According to the trailer, the series also includes an intimate look at the July 2024 firing Berhalter, the former USMNT head coach, who appears to provide a sit-down interview with HBO in the aftermath of his dismissal from the team.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
The first game back at Fenway Park after the shocking firing of manager Alex Cora and most of the coaching staff last weekend didn’t start off on the best footing.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Hansen refers to a reduction of food imports to Gaza from 2007 to 2010 without indicating the ongoing firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas during that period.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Verb
Comey first filed an appeal of her firing with the Merit Systems Protection Board last August and then filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that her removal violated the Constitution and federal law.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
According to the trailer, the series also includes an intimate look at the July 2024 firing Berhalter, the former USMNT head coach, who appears to provide a sit-down interview with HBO in the aftermath of his dismissal from the team.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Noun
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The sweet spot for blasting is in the center of each round target.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
McLeod grew up listening to the quarry’s warning sirens, learning to take cover indoors before the blasting began.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Also, the Spurs are due for shooting regression from deep, whereas the Blazers have gotten unlucky from 3-point range.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Cade Cunningham is shooting under 43% from the field and has a whopping 27 turnovers through four games.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Desires run deep on April 28, as Venus in Gemini meets with Pluto in Aquarius, creating one of the most magnetic and intellectually stimulating trines of the season.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Key Takeaways Eating a small handful of arugula before meals may gently support digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and bile.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But so far the government has decided not to intervene by sacking him and backpedalling on allowing Russia to participate.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
6 May 2026
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Any hope that Liam Rosenior’s sacking 12 days ago would spark an upturn, especially after their FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds United, have been brought back to reality.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Other methods of sneaking contraband into a prison include throwing it over a facility’s fence, coordinating through the mail and, in some cases, involving corrupt corrections officers.—
Taylor Galgano,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
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Rocker was done after two innings, allowing five runs on six hits and throwing 43 pitches in his shortest outing of 2026.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Maps show where the wildfires are burning across Florida and Georgia.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The video shows stunned drivers making a break for it after the firework went off, even though 77 was still partially burning.—
Joe Bruno,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The contact zone there spans the Danube, the river's width of around 1,640 feet -- less than three football fields -- separating Romania and its NATO defenses from the Ukrainian river ports that have for years been a focus of Russia's long-range drone and missile bombardments.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
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El Colombiano reported Tuesday that security forces believe the arrest of four of Mordisco's brothers and the death of his girlfriend in a bombardment by the Colombian air force may have been a motivation for the recent spate of bombings.—
Frank Andrews,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the five-minute work, Pau employs snippets lifted from government newsreels, most notably footage of a swimming contest held at Victoria Harbor in the 1960s showing throngs of Hong Kong citizens launching themselves into the ocean and paddling enthusiastically.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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At least one other popular TV news anchor is in talks about launching a special-interest YouTube channel separate from a network, according to people familiar with the discussions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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