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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
County officials at the time said the firings were not connected to the incident.
—Christine MacDonald, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2025
During the 2024 rampage, two suspects wearing masks were captured on surveillance video shuffling up a driveway and firing weapons towards the home.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
The controversy follows the firing of national security prosecutor Michael Ben’Ary, who criticized DOJ leadership for prioritizing political loyalty over legal principles.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
County officials at the time said the firings were not connected to the incident.
—Christine MacDonald, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Responding officers tried to intervene at that second location, with one officer firing a gun, police said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2025
During the 2024 rampage, two suspects wearing masks were captured on surveillance video shuffling up a driveway and firing weapons towards the home.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Noun
-
Using them lets the driver maximize engine power under varying driving conditions, such as accelerating in a straight line or blasting between apexes at a track or on a twisty road.—
Karl Brauer,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The hallmarks of this franchise — dark ship corridors with steam blasting and floors creaking — are in full effect here as well.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Guadagnino encourages our doubts, shooting Maggie in exaggerated horror-movie closeups set to the doomy bass notes and shrieking winds of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Sanford crashed his pickup truck into the church, set the building on fire and began shooting, striking multiple victims.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fiber helps increase feelings of fullness by slowing digestion and stimulating the release of satiety hormones.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Another highlight of the month is Pluto’s shift direct in Aquarius on October 13, which supercharges your joy sector, stimulating feelings of romance, creativity, play, and pleasure.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But Williams sealed the Pats’ only win of the season thus far, sacking Tua Tagovailoa on the Dolphins’ final offensive snap with less than two minutes left in Week 2.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The Giants largely held Jayden Daniels in check, particularly after halftime, while sacking him 3 times.—
Howard Megdal,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dak Prescott was terrific all day, throwing for 237 yards and four touchdowns.—
Mark Kern,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Their pitching plan this postseason, and particularly in this National League Division Series, seems designed to avoid throwing their most notable relievers.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Little Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the United States Forest Service.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Halvorson was pulled from the burning debris in less than two minutes and rushed to waiting medics and flown in a CareFlite helicopter to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, with significant injuries.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The proposal has come amid prolonged calls for a ceasefire and heightened international condemnation of Israel’s bombardment of the enclave, which several global bodies and humanitarian groups say amounts to genocide.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The medical system in Gaza has been severely battered by Israeli bombardment.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since launching in 2020, Kicking The Stigma has committed more than $31 million to nonprofits expanding treatment and research.—
Alexandra Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Franklin was instrumental in launching the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation 30 years ago and has remained involved as a lifetime member of its board of directors.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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