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
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025
Questions are swirling throughout the NFL about the futures of head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after the firing of general manager Chris Grier a week ago.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
In addition to trying to hold lawmakers accountable for passing a state spending plan on time, Duggan outlined his plan to give school administrators a runway to improve student outcomes before firing them, which would give school districts some say in their accountability measures.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
Golden State Warriors great Draymond Green was not a fan of the firing of Dallas Mavericks general manger Nico Harrison, which was announced on Tuesday.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025
Questions are swirling throughout the NFL about the futures of head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after the firing of general manager Chris Grier a week ago.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Both teams are coming off byes, and LSU needed it after firing coach Brian Kelly.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
In addition to trying to hold lawmakers accountable for passing a state spending plan on time, Duggan outlined his plan to give school administrators a runway to improve student outcomes before firing them, which would give school districts some say in their accountability measures.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 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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The next 77 minutes saw the Pride largely in control despite Seattle out-possessing and out-shooting them.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The assassin is found guilty of shooting Garfield and is sentenced to death.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Aside from giving each strain their unique smell, terpenes also contribute to effects where some may be sedating (linalool, terpinene, myrcene), stimulating (limonene, pinene) and have medicinal benefits (caryophyllene, beta caryophyllene).—
Carly Fisher,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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Save more serious, heavier pruning for shaping and stimulating new growth for late winter or spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If Haaland isn’t my choice here, there should be serious consideration at The Athletic about sacking me.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The defensive line took advantage of a weak Auburn O-line, sacking Arnold five times.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After throwing the sandwich, Dunn ran off but was apprehended about a block away.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
-
People were throwing toilet paper rolls and full beer cans.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Chamberlin Fire has been burning on federal land managed by the National Park Service for three hours.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Russia's latest bombardment included Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, according to Ukrainian authorities.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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But the towns and cities nearest to the nuclear plant have found themselves under relentless bombardment from Russian artillery, missiles, and combat drones.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The autonomous submarine then moved further into the sea before launching the torpedo.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Famed for launching Downton Abbey, the network has been courting sale interest for well over a year, but for all the industry chatter and press speculation, ITV’s silence has been stony.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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