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
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
The offscreen firing resulted in an unusual situation where a franchise passed the torch to a new lead, only to return back to the original star who held the torch in the first place.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Knowles’ defense ranked 30th nationally and he was not retained by Matt Campbell, who took over as the Nittany Lions’ head coach following James Franklin’s midseason firing.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
Blood flow shifts more slowly than electrical firing in neurons.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
The offscreen firing resulted in an unusual situation where a franchise passed the torch to a new lead, only to return back to the original star who held the torch in the first place.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
The gunman drove past the bar that was packed with students before circling back and firing the first shots from his SUV at people on the sidewalk and inside the bar, police said.
—Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Knowles’ defense ranked 30th nationally and he was not retained by Matt Campbell, who took over as the Nittany Lions’ head coach following James Franklin’s midseason firing.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Noun
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Another was renting a vintage car and driving through Italy with a girlfriend with classical music blasting.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
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Saros looks like a promising follow-up to Returnal, incorporating all the frenetic action and satisfying alien-blasting of the previous game, while also bringing in its own time-loop mechanic to justify the live-die-repeat gameplay style that Housemarque is fast becoming known for.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ryan Gosling acted against a couple of surprising collaborators while shooting his latest movie.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
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Video of a barricade situation in Baltimore County is gaining attention and giving a closer look at what led to police shooting and killing a man inside his home on Wednesday night.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The result is essentially an arbitrary purity test that tightens capital access necessary for creating American jobs and stimulating local economies.—
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
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The Form Insoles combine mechanical arch support with a neuro-stimulating texture, which is proven to reduce foot fatigue and arch pain by increasing overall foot awareness and foot posture.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur are searching for their eighth manager/head coach (interim and permanent) since 2019 after sacking Thomas Frank on Wednesday amid a run of two wins in 17 Premier League games.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
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Seattle swarmed quarterback Drake Maye all game, sacking him six times and forcing three turnovers, leaving New England scoreless through the first three quarters.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Striking out five batters in two innings while throwing six types of pitches — that has a way of getting the manager’s attention.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
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Those necessary steps include throwing curveballs without issue in bullpens, facing batters for the first time in live BP, sim games and eventually game action on a rehab assignment.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In all areas of life, optimism lights the spark, while discipline keeps the fire burning.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
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In another southern India tradition, the event is known as Kama Dahanam to commemorate Lord Shiva burning Kamadeva, the god of love, with his third eye.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The crashes come during heavy bombardment on Gulf nations as part of an expanding war with Iran.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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But as bombardment by the United States and Israel fell from the air for a second day Sunday, many expressed fear and uncertainty over what direction Iran will take.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Born in 1934 in the northern Italian town of Piacenza, Armani entered fashion almost by accident, first working as a window dresser at Milan’s La Rinascente before launching his own label with partner Sergio Galeotti in 1975.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2026
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Paul Hennesy/Anadolu via Getty Images The Artemis III mission, which had been expected to land astronauts near the moon's south pole in 2028, now will be redefined and rescheduled — launching in 2027 but not to the moon, Isaacman said.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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