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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
That game was a 1-point loss that started their five-game winless home stand, which culminated with Brown’s firing.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Jan. 2025
Beekman 1802, refinery29.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Your core, upper-back muscles, and biceps are also firing during this time.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for firing 
Noun
Kennedy has also called for the firing of hundreds of NIH staff members, a task that will be difficult without congressional action.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
That game was a 1-point loss that started their five-game winless home stand, which culminated with Brown’s firing.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
Your cordless Magic Wand harnesses AC power from the wall before firing it out in 8 vibration styles.
—Beekman 1802, refinery29.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Your core, upper-back muscles, and biceps are also firing during this time.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
Verb
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Mangione, 26, is accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan on December 4.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
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This outburst ejects powerful jets, seen as filaments shooting out from the binary system, forming loops and trails as the plasma emerges in streamers.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This was, of course, while the tablet was plugged in and its fans were blasting on Turbo mode.—
Antonio G. Di Benedetto,
The Verge,
7 Jan. 2025
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Louisville blasting Virginia by 20 points on the road was eyebrow-raising but hardly affirming.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But at the time, the theory that providing children with stimulating activities would help them more than rote learning and academic drills was revolutionary.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Jan. 2025
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For only the second time in at least a decade, top leaders last month made stimulating spending and domestic demand their top priority in 2025.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune Asia,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Dallas sacking Washington’s quarterbacks six times — Daniels four times — on Sunday upped the Commanders’ allowed sacks total to 22 over the last five games.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
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Dallas sacking Washington’s quarterbacks six times — Daniels four times — on Sunday upped the Commanders’ allowed sacks total to 22 over the last five games.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The company built a retail and residential complex around the county’s Coconut Grove Metrorail station, and Martin also is pitching an incinerator site in western Miami-Dade as an alternative to the Levine Cava plan to rebuild the trash-burning facility in Doral.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Jan. 2025
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Detroit Free Press On a Friday afternoon in April 14 years ago, a Christian pastor known for burning Qurans stood in front of Dearborn City Hall along Michigan Avenue railing against Islam.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This can lead to overwhelm and a case of analysis paralysis, which ultimately leads you down the downward spiral of procrastination and not launching any independent venture at all.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
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China has been launching them from the Atlantic from submarines for years, but this activity recently has picked up.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Add the 3 ½ tablespoons butter and, stirring continuously, cook until the caramel reaches 238 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes more.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
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Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook uncovered without stirring.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The acids in toner can also act as chemical exfoliants, removing any extra dead skin cells or other debris that might build up.—
Amanda Svachula,
Health,
27 Dec. 2024
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Start by removing the old hardware using a screwdriver, saving the screws if needed, and clean the surface to remove any residue.—
Perri Ormont Blumberg,
Architectural Digest,
27 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near firing
Cite this Entry
“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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