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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Clyde cited taxes on firearm purchases as part of his reasoning.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2025
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Police also found firearms at the scene, Vega said, adding that witnesses will be brought to the police station to be interviewed.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2025
Noun
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The artist is facing 14 charges, including aggravated assault, possessing and aiming a gun at someone, reckless conduct, conspiracy to commit a felony, and simple assault, among others.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
21 May 2025
-
Alas, before Kevin could say much more than Forefront (the terrorist group Jubal dealt with at midseason) was planning an attack on the FBI office, Forefront operatives stormed the building, guns a-blazing.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Small arm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arm. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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