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.
—
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
-
Weapons of any kind including, but not limited to, firearms and knives.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
14 July 2025
-
Outside the restaurant, a security guard approached Hodgson and asked him to leave since firearms were not allowed on the property, according to the news release.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
According to court documents and security camera footage used in the prosecution, the incident escalated when Orona, driving an SUV, pulled up alongside Milligan's vehicle and fired a gun out of an open window, striking Milligan in the head.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
20 July 2025
-
The officer, who was not in uniform, pulled out a gun to protect himself, and a shootout ensued.—
Bill Melugin , Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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