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
There will be moments, in any month’s pause, where small arms clashes, or drone strikes, prove impossible to attribute to either side as the aggressor: where AI-manipulation, or faked accounts, or entirely fictitious incidents, fill the information space.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Based on the West’s response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its relatively small arms provisions during the run-up to the war in 2022, Moscow might reasonably have assumed that the United States and Europe would not provide major support for Ukraine, or at least not in time.
—Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Feb. 2023
Rund then became engaged to Doug Rund, the brother of her late husband Greg Rund, who died in Fallujah from small arms fire, according to media reports.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025
Also, the cuff size is a bit large and may not be ideal for small arms.
—Loren Brutsch, Health, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Based on the West’s response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its relatively small arms provisions during the run-up to the war in 2022, Moscow might reasonably have assumed that the United States and Europe would not provide major support for Ukraine, or at least not in time.
—Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Feb. 2023
Rund then became engaged to Doug Rund, the brother of her late husband Greg Rund, who died in Fallujah from small arms fire, according to media reports.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025
Also, the cuff size is a bit large and may not be ideal for small arms.
—Loren Brutsch, Health, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arm
Noun
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Johnson also spoke about the importance of properly securing firearms and using gun locks.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2025
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Many aspects of American life—for instance, the view held by many Americans that freedom and the right to bear firearms are inextricable—do not resonate outside the United States.—
RANA MITTER,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Multiple instances of gun violence occur outside of New York City Public Schools, often involving students and school safety staff.—
Savanah Jackson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
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Another recording, from a nearby security camera apparently without sound, appeared to show Lauren chambering a round and raising the gun, followed by police bullets kicking up dirt near her feet a moment after.—
Libor Jany,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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