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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of small arms
Hanging from the fence was a backpack and a reusable shopping bag — each containing a plate capable of stopping small arms fire, according to prosecutors.
—
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
From small arms to nuclear platforms, China has unveiled a new generation of weapons across every domain of warfare on Wednesday at a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Iraq had plenty of small arms and ammunition, which could kill Americans but would often plink harmlessly off their armored vehicles.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
According to a May 2025 report from the German government, this aid includes equipment and weapons such as air defense systems, combat vehicles, artillery systems, armored transport vehicles, small arms, and ammunition, as well as other types of support, including medical supplies and clothing.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
In total, 43 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced by a five-day conflict that started with small arms fire and quickly escalated into heavy artillery and rocket fire, then Thailand’s deployment hours later of an F-16 fighter jet for airstrikes.
—CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
From small arms to nuclear platforms, China has unveiled a new generation of weapons across every domain of warfare on Wednesday at a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of its victory in World War II.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
Iraq had plenty of small arms and ammunition, which could kill Americans but would often plink harmlessly off their armored vehicles.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
According to a May 2025 report from the German government, this aid includes equipment and weapons such as air defense systems, combat vehicles, artillery systems, armored transport vehicles, small arms, and ammunition, as well as other types of support, including medical supplies and clothing.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
In total, 43 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced by a five-day conflict that started with small arms fire and quickly escalated into heavy artillery and rocket fire, then Thailand’s deployment hours later of an F-16 fighter jet for airstrikes.
—CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arms
Noun
-
And in Utah, where Kirk was murdered, lawmakers recently changed the law to clarify that people can openly carry guns on college campuses, including students as young as 18 years old.—
John Feinblatt,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The American electorate has made its views on guns clear again and again.—
John J. Donohue,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In 2021 5,972 firearms were intercepted at airports, in 2022 6,542 firearms were stopped at checkpoints, while 2023 saw 6,737 firearms discovered in carry-on luggage.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
No stranger to controversy or conflict, Underwood once ran a firearms marketplace that made headlines for hosting an auction of the handgun used in the Trayvon Martin shooting, in which the 17-year-old was killed by a member of a community watch organization while walking in Miami Gardens, Florida.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arms. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share