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
Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Saintremy confirmed the firing on Friday in a brief conversation with the Miami Herald.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Suspect accused of firing from pickup Irving police said 62‑year‑old Kenneth Nixon was arrested and charged with murder following the shooting.
—Marissa Armas, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
In Wisconsin, the Department of Veterans Affairs saw the steepest cuts, including the firing of at least 20 people from VA medical centers and facilities in Milwaukee and Madison.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Saintremy confirmed the firing on Friday in a brief conversation with the Miami Herald.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
The likes of Vault-Tec (bunkers), RobCo (robots), and Big MT (defence) all saw money-making opportunities in firing the first shot in a thermonuclear war.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Suspect accused of firing from pickup Irving police said 62‑year‑old Kenneth Nixon was arrested and charged with murder following the shooting.
—Marissa Armas, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Noun
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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
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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
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American curler Rich Ruohonen took time during a press conference to reflect on what’s occurred in Minneapolis recently, including the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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An 18-year-old man accused of fatally shooting his friend during an argument over sharing french fries inside a west Fort Worth apartment was arrested on Monday, according to jail records.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Protein helps build and preserve muscle by supplying amino acids and stimulating muscle protein synthesis, especially when coupled with strength training.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The researchers found that targeting this network with brain-stimulating treatments could better alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Seattle defense, which nicknamed itself the Dark Side, lived in quarterback Drake Maye’s face, sacking him six times and harassing him into three turnovers.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Seattle swarmed quarterback Drake Maye all game, sacking him six times and forcing three turnovers, leaving New England scoreless through the first three quarters.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The council was established in April 2024, nearly three years after President Jovenel Moïse was killed at his residence, throwing Haiti into widespread upheaval.—
EVENS SANON,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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After Lathan Sommerville drew consecutive trips to the line, and no whistle blew when Dent was contacted on a drive, Cronin ran onto the court, throwing his fists in anger, and yelling at an official.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Charred, thin bubbling crusts come straight from the room’s wood burning oven, and the Funghi, with wild mushrooms, scamorza taleggio, Parmigiano Reggiano and aromatic herbs is a standout.—
Andrea Bennett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
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The company says fans will be invited to send in their burning questions for the presenters to tackle each week.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Amid icy conditions in Kyiv, more than 1,200 residential buildings in multiple districts of the capital have had no heating for days due to the Russian bombardment of the power grid, according to Zelenskyy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Amid icy conditions in Kyiv, more than 1,200 residential buildings in different districts of the capital have had no heating for days due to the Russian bombardment of the power grid, according to Zelensky.—
Kamila Hrabchuk,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The team behind Fitbit is launching a new consumer health company, betting on AI to help people wade through the morass of family health care.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Police ramped up their search on Friday morning by launching a water search for Smith in a body of water near his home, using divers as well as multiple K-9 units, including a specialized bloodhound.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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