as in firearm
a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder
the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol
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Recent Examples of small arm
Three Indian army officials said that Pakistani soldiers used small arms to fire at an Indian position in Kashmir late Thursday.
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Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced the closure of a small arm within the State Department aimed at countering foreign disinformation campaigns, which Republicans increasingly criticized as silencing conservative voices online.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
These insights came from the Office of Net Assessment, a small arm of the Department of Defense that has, through its independent analyses, for decades played a vital role in informing senior Pentagon leaders’ strategic planning and policy priorities.
—Andrew F. Krepinevich, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2025
Another pair of small arms — possibly belonging to Prince Archie — can be seen off to the side, holding a piece of cake.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Time, 25 Apr. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced the closure of a small arm within the State Department aimed at countering foreign disinformation campaigns, which Republicans increasingly criticized as silencing conservative voices online.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
These insights came from the Office of Net Assessment, a small arm of the Department of Defense that has, through its independent analyses, for decades played a vital role in informing senior Pentagon leaders’ strategic planning and policy priorities.
—Andrew F. Krepinevich, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2025
Another pair of small arms — possibly belonging to Prince Archie — can be seen off to the side, holding a piece of cake.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arm
Noun
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After learning of the matter, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Bohn’s Woodbury home and found an unloaded firearm in a locked case in his garage, according to the complaint.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
21 June 2025
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In a search of the apartment, police recovered a Glock 19 Gen 5 firearm with an optic sight attached.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Along with the marijuana, police seized more than $500,000 in cash and six guns, according to the Facebook post.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 June 2025
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To be sure, Barrett has played a key part in dramatic rightward shifts in American law, voting to overrule Roe v. Wade, end affirmative action, limit the power of federal agencies, and expand the rights of gun owners.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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