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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of small arm
The suspension applies to at least a part of SIG Sauer, a major small arms maker based in Switzerland and Germany.
—
Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
During the past few years, the Houthis have become less reliant on Iran for weapons, smuggling in drone components from Chinese companies and small arms from the Horn of Africa.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
The year is 1940 and the Second World War is in full swing, coming to Birmingham with a bang when a bomb falls on a small arms factory, killing everyone including a previously unseen member of the Shelby family, Agnes (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis).
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
From the north and from the island’s southern highpoint, 550-foot Mount Suribachi, shells and small arms fire rained on the Marines, the Courant reported.
—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
During the past few years, the Houthis have become less reliant on Iran for weapons, smuggling in drone components from Chinese companies and small arms from the Horn of Africa.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
The year is 1940 and the Second World War is in full swing, coming to Birmingham with a bang when a bomb falls on a small arms factory, killing everyone including a previously unseen member of the Shelby family, Agnes (Ruby Ashbourne Serkis).
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2026
From the north and from the island’s southern highpoint, 550-foot Mount Suribachi, shells and small arms fire rained on the Marines, the Courant reported.
—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for small arm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arm
Noun
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Blanche said the changes bring gun regulations in line with Supreme Court precedents while cutting down on unnecessary burdens on firearms sellers and lawful gun owners.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2026
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Allen, a California teacher, is charged with attempting to assassinate the president, transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
Noun
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Allen has been charged not only with attempting to assassinate a president, but also with transporting a gun and ammunition to commit a felony and firing a gun during a violent crime.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Months earlier, the shooter had extensive conversations with ChatGPT discussing scenarios involving gun violence, the lawsuits allege.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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