as in guns
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 arms
Ciber’s unit has five such machines, used sparingly, and is preparing another, faster robot, capable of covering 10 miles an hour, to carry Kalashnikov small arms into battle.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
In some cases, small arms fire and high rate-of-fire machine guns have proved effective against low-flying drones.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Throughout their history, they have been proven vulnerable to small arms fire in urban combat.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
In the virtual panel discussion last week, union leaders described the Lake City facility as the largest producer of small arms ammunition for the armed forces.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
News reports said the helicopters faced small arms fire but made it out safely with the pilot.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
In some cases, small arms fire and high rate-of-fire machine guns have proved effective against low-flying drones.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Throughout their history, they have been proven vulnerable to small arms fire in urban combat.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
In the virtual panel discussion last week, union leaders described the Lake City facility as the largest producer of small arms ammunition for the armed forces.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
News reports said the helicopters faced small arms fire but made it out safely with the pilot.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arms
Noun
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Four men jumped out of the Cadillac, all armed with semi-automatic guns and wearing balaclavas, though victim 1 told the FBI recognized Phihoang and at least two other men, the complaint said.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
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Then there is the danger with the carrying of guns and threats to seniors.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The 17-year-old was charged with firearms violations and unlawful distribution and sale of cannabis, and another person was arrested for unlawful sale and distribution of cannabis.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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The challenge was brought by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearms industry’s leading trade group, along with major manufacturers including Smith & Wesson and Glock.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Small arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arms. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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