fire 1 of 2

Definition of firenext
1
as in inferno
a destructive burning a number of suspicious fires in the neighborhood recently

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fire

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to shoot
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force police officers firing rubber bullets

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2
as in to blast
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force soldiers fired at the enemy in panic-stricken disorder

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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 fire
Noun
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026 Today, the herd roams the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and is managed in partnership with the local fire company, which hosts the annual pony swim—a beloved local tradition. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Verb
Moriarty said Castro fired his weapon through the front door of a house where Sosa-Celis and others, including children, were inside. Terry Collins, USA Today, 18 May 2026 On the road outside, Sasha and Kosta are bolder, firing from the open. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
  • The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen on the second floor, but the cause of the inferno has not yet been determined, per CBS News.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
  • Pratt took aim at Bass over the lack of water available during the inferno, with fire hydrants running dry.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Unfortunately, the researchers were unable to measure the intensity directly, but theoretical estimates suggest the team may have boosted the laser intensity to 10^23 W per cm2.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
  • Though South Florida usually sees wildfire activity in May, the speed and intensity of fires have been exacerbated by the dry conditions.
    Megan Vaz, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Manker said the ordeal left her family shaken.
    Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
  • The Hondius was now in a different kind of storm—an ordeal reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with passengers mysteriously falling ill, health workers wearing hazmat suits, and governments imposing quarantines.
    Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • The company recently shot a pilot for a food travel series Soul Table with former CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin, activist LaTosha Brown and Michelin chef Dominique Crenn (Chef’s Table).
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 19 May 2026
  • Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against Jalen Williams #8 and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • The shooters continued blasting away as the workers scrambled for cover, sources said.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
  • Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Certain exercises can help slow bone loss and stimulate bone growth.
    RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 14 May 2026
  • The real show, however, takes place on the surface, as the big, meaty bugs stimulate some of the hottest topwater action of the year.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • United also won the FA Cup under Erik ten Hag in 2024 though he was sacked later that year and replaced by Ruben Amorim, who himself was dismissed in January 2026.
    Sam Joseph, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • Starmer sacked Mandelson last September after a trove of emails revealed the depth of his ties with Epstein.
    Elizabeth Piper, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Ha-Seong Kim lined a two-strike fastball off Chapman’s leg that Chapman eventually found along the first-base line before throwing to first for the final out.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 17 May 2026
  • For one thing, that extra speed—plus a spike in spin, which has allowed pitchers to throw harder while also making the ball swerve, dive, and kick—has given pitchers an even greater advantage over batters than before.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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