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
Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Donovan said the firing of Karnišovas and Eversley won’t affect his approach to his offseason decision.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
The Nashville Predators with Barry Trotz retiring and Toronto Maple Leafs after firing Brad Treliving are currently searching for a new head of hockey operations.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
The firings—we’ve had a lot of generals and admirals fired, including the head of the Army, during this conflict.
—Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Donovan said the firing of Karnišovas and Eversley won’t affect his approach to his offseason decision.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Iran retaliated by firing missiles in central Israel, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, forcing the closure of the key King Fahd bridge between the two Gulf countries.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
The Nashville Predators with Barry Trotz retiring and Toronto Maple Leafs after firing Brad Treliving are currently searching for a new head of hockey operations.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Noun
-
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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Adebayo finished Tuesday’s loss with just seven points on 2-of-13 shooting from the field, 1-of-7 shooting on threes and 2-of-2 shooting from the foul line, nine rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
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He is accused of shooting Afghan man Dad Mohammad three times in the head in an Uruzgan province wheat field in 2012.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The funding aims to enhance all-weather roads, stormwater drainage, street lighting, and public markets to improve transport connections, reduce flooding, and boost public safety, while also stimulating the local economy.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Xie said the massage is based on traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on stimulating acupressure points around the eyes.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The confrontation went viral in December 2024, as cameras captured Gastineau confronting Favre in 2023 over Michael Strahan sacking the Green Bay Packers legend to break Gastineau's single-season sack record.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
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So Green can go back to sad-sacking and triple-singling starting Saturday against the Thunder, and certainly Monday against the Jazz.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The inning included a play at second base where Luis Arraez was kicked in the throwing hand by Dylan Beavers but remained in the game.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The Pirates also took advantage of Caleb Thielbar’s throwing error to score an unearned run off the lefty reliever in the 11th inning.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The group then sprang into action, rushing to pull them from the burning vehicle and extinguish the flames.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Dinner is focused around a large wood burning oven, putting out deliciously charred meats and veggies, and there’s a vibrant after-work drinks scene that always has this place pumping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In a 40-minute phone call late Thursday, a Hezbollah field commander told NPR how he was wounded in Israel's vast bombardment of Beirut a day earlier, which killed more than 350 people, according to Lebanese authorities.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
12 Apr. 2026
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Amid Israel’s brutal bombardment of Gaza in 2023, Dupuy-Spencer began making paintings in support of the Palestinian cause.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard denied launching attacks on Persian Gulf states after Kuwait's announcement.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Pretty Little Liars star Sasha Pieterse is launching production label Mother Bare Productions with the first project a movie adaptation of popular American novelist Sherrilyn Kenyon’s upcoming urban fantasy book series Infernal Affairs, which Pieterse will star in and produce.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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