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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of firing
Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Last July, O’Neil shared an Instagram post with behind-the-scenes footage of her, Cox, and Diaz getting back into the Rookie groove on the firing range with their armorers.
—Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Yuval Levin, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead of printing and firing metal paste, this approach borrows techniques from the semiconductor industry, relying on thin seed layers, precise patterning, and electrochemical deposition.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
After his firing, which coaches are atop that list?
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Last July, O’Neil shared an Instagram post with behind-the-scenes footage of her, Cox, and Diaz getting back into the Rookie groove on the firing range with their armorers.
—Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
But the president firing people without replacing them or eliminating the appropriations for their roles only leaves openings for the next administration to fill.
—Yuval Levin, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Instead of printing and firing metal paste, this approach borrows techniques from the semiconductor industry, relying on thin seed layers, precise patterning, and electrochemical deposition.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Noun
-
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
-
The opinion also estimates that drilling will kill or seriously harm several hundred sea turtles every year through oil spills, ship strikes, air gun blasting, explosives and marine debris.—
Christian Wagley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Baltimore police shooting Police found the man riding a bike on Eastern Avenue, near the Interstate 95 south exit ramp.—
Stephanie Douglas,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The police report said that Goetz checked on each of the men after shooting them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By stimulating it, the device aims to restore healthier brain signaling over time.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Native to the Southeast, its leaves were long-brewed by Indigenous people into a stimulating drink (and a tea is commercially available).—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pursuit of Purdy The Seahawks’ front seven made life difficult for Purdy, chasing him across the field while sacking him twice.—
Andrew Destin,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The Texans stifled the Steelers rushing attack and harassed Aaron Rodgers so extensively — sacking him four times, hitting him 12 times — that the future Hall of Fame quarterback scarcely had time to wait for plays to develop and repeatedly dumped the ball off for short gains.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After throwing for just 241 total yards in wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State to start Miami’s postseason journey, Beck completed 23 of 37 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns with one interception and had the game-clinching rushing touchdown.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This happened after a number of protesters began throwing snowballs at federal vehicles on the scene.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The caller said someone was inside a burning pole building.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The possibility of starting a wildfire is great, and most municipalities have laws and penalties for burning without a permit.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The bombardment of political ads will commence this week.—
Paul Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Israel launched a widespread bombardment of Lebanon in September 2024 that severely weakened Hezbollah, followed by a ground invasion.—
Bassem Mroue,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Three years after launching, Cooper signed a deal with Spotify worth $60 million.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Calvary became the epicenter of the scene, launching Christian rock bands like Love Song and Children of the Day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
