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
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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
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6
as in burning
to set (something) on fire
lit some kindling before attempting to fire the logs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of firing
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
At the same time, in the last nine months, EOIR has lost over 100 judges to firings and voluntary resignations, down from about 700 judges at the start of the year.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
If Hall jerked too violently, let alone tried to run, the wire would pull the trigger, firing the shotgun Kiritsis had pointed at the back of Hall’s head.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
His opening move has been the firing of Fed Governor Lisa Cook.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
At the same time, in the last nine months, EOIR has lost over 100 judges to firings and voluntary resignations, down from about 700 judges at the start of the year.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Police said Westman is believed to have used three guns in the attack -- a rifle, a shotgun and a handgun -- firing through the church's windows as young students had gathered for morning mass.
—ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
If Hall jerked too violently, let alone tried to run, the wire would pull the trigger, firing the shotgun Kiritsis had pointed at the back of Hall’s head.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 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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But her athletic triumph was tragically dampened by years of abuse at the hands of her husband and coach Jim Martin, who in 2010 attempted to murder her, stabbing her many times, slicing the flesh off the bone from her leg, and shooting her.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
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The fact that Ryan Murphy’s American Love Story is shooting in the neighborhood is dredging everything back up again.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In this sense, homes offer a more private and personal environment, which can be comfortable and creatively stimulating.—
Megan Williams,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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There has been some evidence that stimulating the nervous system in certain ways could make this recovery go faster, and researchers in China wanted to find out if this could be achieved through music.—
Eva Amsen,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the 2024-25 NBA season, Josh, who serves as the Denver Nuggets’ CEO and team president, was instrumental in sacking head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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The results also come on the heels of Qantas recently being hit with a record A$90 million penalty for illegally sacking 1,800 ground staff.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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More Getty Images Purdy certainly did not play his best football last year, throwing for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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The messages contained information only someone close to Lauryn would have known, throwing twist into the mystery.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Since leaving Fiji, the cast addressed all the burning questions about their time inside the villa and the real-world drama that followed.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Trump has consistently condemned flag burning and called for its criminalization, even suggesting jail time or loss of citizenship.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Residents reported heavy bombardments in Zeitoun, Sabra, Tuffah and Shejaia while tanks advanced into Sheikh Radwan, northwest of the city center, crushing homes and setting fires in encampments.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Many of these injuries were caused by aerial bombardments, as Israel Defense Forces jets, helicopters and drones regularly roamed the skies, Burney said.—
Brendan Rascius,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Later this month, Zeteo is launching a morning political newsletter written from a progressive perspective.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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That has included Newsom ramping up his social media presence, frequently parodying Trump with the all-caps statements that the president uses, as well as launching a merchandise shop that features many of the slogans Trump has on his signature hats, only with Newsom’s name swapped in.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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