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
Jahd Khalil, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
But will bringing back David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and other legacy actors be enough to make audiences forget about Melissa Barrera’s firing?
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Greg Myre, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Hankison was convicted of violating Taylor’s civil rights the night she was killed by firing a total of 10 shots into her apartment through a sliding glass door and window that were covered by blinds.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
Democrats in the commonwealth hope that voter anger over the firings and furloughs will carry them to victory on Tuesday night.
—Jahd Khalil, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
But will bringing back David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and other legacy actors be enough to make audiences forget about Melissa Barrera’s firing?
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
On Tuesday, Israel accused Hamas of firing on Israeli forces still in Gaza.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
Hankison was convicted of violating Taylor’s civil rights the night she was killed by firing a total of 10 shots into her apartment through a sliding glass door and window that were covered by blinds.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Noun
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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
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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
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Kirill Kaprizov, who showed his frustration after Anthony Mantha’s empty-net goal by shooting the puck against the boards and then removing his number from the board that listed media requests following the game, scored the lone goal for Minnesota.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Jesse jokes, blithely unaware, before shooting out of bed after locking eyes with the chimp.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Aside from giving each strain their unique smell, terpenes also contribute to effects where some may be sedating (linalool, terpinene, myrcene), stimulating (limonene, pinene) and have medicinal benefits (caryophyllene, beta caryophyllene).—
Carly Fisher,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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Save more serious, heavier pruning for shaping and stimulating new growth for late winter or spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Losing to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup led Amorim to discuss his long-term future at United, but senior executives have little appetite for sacking yet another head coach.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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The defensive line took advantage of a weak Auburn O-line, sacking Arnold five times.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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All three celebs proved how versatile a quarter-zip pullover can be by throwing it on during a relaxing night at home, pairing it with sweatpants for a matching set, and dressing it up with slacks.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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The synopsis above only covers the first 20 minutes or so of the movie; after that, Kouf keeps throwing twist after twist into the mix, constantly drawing the viewer in with developments that are both emotionally impactful and thematically rich.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sc/sd/11x Fire has been burning on private land.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Cobalt, which can cause a burning sensation when handled, was one of the most common of these and is named for the kobold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But the towns and cities nearest to the nuclear plant have found themselves under relentless bombardment from Russian artillery, missiles, and combat drones.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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The reactor vessel, where atoms are split, is made of specialized steel up to 10 inches thick that must withstand bombardment by radiation for decades.—
Brad Plumer,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Founded in Melbourne, Airwallex later moved to the Asian finance hub of Singapore after launching in the country in early 2022.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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For now, imagine a skater launching off a quarter pipe two thousand feet high, then somersaulting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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