1
as in shooting
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force
police officers firing rubber bullets
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in discharging
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force
soldiers fired at the enemy in panic-stricken disorder
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in stimulating
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
a school outing to the natural history museum fired his imagination, and he grew up to become an eminent paleontologist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sacking
to let go from office, service, or employment
fired the secretary for incompetence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in throwing
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
fired a pass to the running back
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6
as in burning
to set (something) on fire
lit some kindling before attempting to fire the logs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of firing
ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
The courts themselves have lost judges through departures and firings — nine have left the Chicago court since the beginning of last year.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
According to the trailer, the series also includes an intimate look at the July 2024 firing Berhalter, the former USMNT head coach, who appears to provide a sit-down interview with HBO in the aftermath of his dismissal from the team.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Noun
Polling has found the general public felt the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota went too far, a factor that may have contributed to the abrupt firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in early March.
—ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
The courts themselves have lost judges through departures and firings — nine have left the Chicago court since the beginning of last year.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Comey first filed an appeal of her firing with the Merit Systems Protection Board last August and then filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that her removal violated the Constitution and federal law.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
According to the trailer, the series also includes an intimate look at the July 2024 firing Berhalter, the former USMNT head coach, who appears to provide a sit-down interview with HBO in the aftermath of his dismissal from the team.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Noun
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The sweet spot for blasting is in the center of each round target.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
McLeod grew up listening to the quarry’s warning sirens, learning to take cover indoors before the blasting began.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Also, the Spurs are due for shooting regression from deep, whereas the Blazers have gotten unlucky from 3-point range.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Cade Cunningham is shooting under 43% from the field and has a whopping 27 turnovers through four games.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Desires run deep on April 28, as Venus in Gemini meets with Pluto in Aquarius, creating one of the most magnetic and intellectually stimulating trines of the season.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Key Takeaways Eating a small handful of arugula before meals may gently support digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and bile.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Chelsea thought their recent run of losses had been painful enough, Sunday could present a new nadir if Leeds United highlight how sacking Rosenior won’t fix anything by itself.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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John Franklin-Myers, who loved talking, sacking and eating Uncrustables, left as a free agent to the Titans.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Carr is a natural athlete who moves like a great shortstop, and his ability to find cleaner throwing air out of the pocket — and his ability to make throws from multiple arm slots — is special.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Shota Imanaga isn’t known for throwing his sweeper much.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maps show where the wildfires are burning across Florida and Georgia.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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The video shows stunned drivers making a break for it after the firework went off, even though 77 was still partially burning.—
Joe Bruno,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Slegers spent the final few minutes of the game summoning all her tallest players from the bench, in order to guard against a OL Lyonnes aerial bombardment that never quite arrived.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Last year, while docked at a Yemeni port, his vessel came under bombardment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, is launching its own prediction market called Truth Predict.—
Gary D. Robertson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Since launching its first contract in 2021, Kalshi has grown rapidly, with event contracts totaling $52 billion as of March 2026.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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