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
Gabriel Thompson, USA Today, 11 July 2025
School Board members mostly declined to comment on the record about the firing.
—Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
Swiftly, the Maybach Music mogul wasted no time firing back on social media.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
Trump followed Wilcox’s firing with a February executive order that consolidated executive control over independent agencies like the National Labor Relations Board.
—Gabriel Thompson, USA Today, 11 July 2025
School Board members mostly declined to comment on the record about the firing.
—Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Verb
In hopes of improving their team after a 2-4 start and after firing coach Robert Saleh, the Jets acquired Adams, 32, in a trade with the Raiders for a 2025 third-round pick.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
Swiftly, the Maybach Music mogul wasted no time firing back on social media.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Verb
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Mangione, 26, is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan on December 4.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
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This outburst ejects powerful jets, seen as filaments shooting out from the binary system, forming loops and trails as the plasma emerges in streamers.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Despite the wrinkles and gray hair of the men playing them, AC/DC’s songs remain timeless slices of crude and rude rock custom made for blasting from the cars of stoned teenagers.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
11 Apr. 2025
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Zaya was outside with all of her friends; Wade was blasting music with his windows down and got out of the car.—
D. Watkins,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But at the time, the theory that providing children with stimulating activities would help them more than rote learning and academic drills was revolutionary.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Jan. 2025
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For only the second time in at least a decade, top leaders last month made stimulating spending and domestic demand their top priority in 2025.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune Asia,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Dallas sacking Washington’s quarterbacks six times — Daniels four times — on Sunday upped the Commanders’ allowed sacks total to 22 over the last five games.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
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Dallas sacking Washington’s quarterbacks six times — Daniels four times — on Sunday upped the Commanders’ allowed sacks total to 22 over the last five games.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The company built a retail and residential complex around the county’s Coconut Grove Metrorail station, and Martin also is pitching an incinerator site in western Miami-Dade as an alternative to the Levine Cava plan to rebuild the trash-burning facility in Doral.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Jan. 2025
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Detroit Free Press On a Friday afternoon in April 14 years ago, a Christian pastor known for burning Qurans stood in front of Dearborn City Hall along Michigan Avenue railing against Islam.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Once again, Republicans are launching outrageous attacks on our elections.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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According to Defense Express, the rotor drone is capable of carrying and launching missile weapons.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Add the 3 ½ tablespoons butter and, stirring continuously, cook until the caramel reaches 238 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes more.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
-
Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often and making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to keep the mixture from scorching, until the mixture reaches 230 degrees, about 30 minutes.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The acids in toner can also act as chemical exfoliants, removing any extra dead skin cells or other debris that might build up.—
Amanda Svachula,
Health,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Start by removing the old hardware using a screwdriver, saving the screws if needed, and clean the surface to remove any residue.—
Perri Ormont Blumberg,
Architectural Digest,
27 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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