1
as in infernos
a destructive burning
a number of suspicious fires in the neighborhood recently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ordeals
a test of faith, patience, or strength
asked to be sent to the front lines, as he was eager to prove himself in the fire of battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in shoots
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force
police officers firing rubber bullets
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in stimulates
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 sacks
to let go from office, service, or employment
fired the secretary for incompetence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in throws
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 burns
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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of fires
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Times staff writer Corinne Purtill reported on the CLEAN Waters project finding no evidence of harm in local beach ecosystems after last year’s Palisades and Eaton fires.
—Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The discovery comes too late as Thompson pulls out his gun and fires three times into Vance's chest before being shot dead by arriving agents Parker and Timothy McGee (Sean Murray).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Standard risk and exclusion zone guidelines for LNG sites generally extend far beyond 400 feet, precisely because in the event of a release, thermal radiation, vapor dispersion or flash fires could affect areas well outside facility boundaries.
—Joel McPherson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
The Yuma County Sheriff's Office said the same person has been starting fires for more than two years, including one that burned more than 12,000 acres near County Road 33 in December.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
The comedy lies in the unwavering sincerity with which every ridiculous twist is treated, from one-night stands with a cuy fighter and multiple fires to violent abductions and a heartbroken lover riding her motorcycle off a cliff.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Already, the fires have been burning for days.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026
Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Orion will spend 90-minutes in its initial orbit, before the second stage fires its engines twice to send Orion to a high Earth elliptical orbit.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The officer fires his gun and kills Otto about 30 seconds later.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Mar. 2026
For example, if an employer fires an employee because of heavy menstrual bleeding resulting in leaking, that would violate the new law.
—Ann Juliano, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Duke fires the shot that kills the king Dying Tommy insists Duke finish him off with the bullet like a lame horse.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
When a police department fires an officer, state law requires the agency to notify CLEET.
—Ashlynd Baecht, The Frontier, 19 Mar. 2026
Three shots can be heard as the officer fires his gun.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
The risk is if Iran fires on those ships.
—NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Times staff writer Corinne Purtill reported on the CLEAN Waters project finding no evidence of harm in local beach ecosystems after last year’s Palisades and Eaton fires.
—Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The discovery comes too late as Thompson pulls out his gun and fires three times into Vance's chest before being shot dead by arriving agents Parker and Timothy McGee (Sean Murray).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Standard risk and exclusion zone guidelines for LNG sites generally extend far beyond 400 feet, precisely because in the event of a release, thermal radiation, vapor dispersion or flash fires could affect areas well outside facility boundaries.
—Joel McPherson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
The Yuma County Sheriff's Office said the same person has been starting fires for more than two years, including one that burned more than 12,000 acres near County Road 33 in December.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
The comedy lies in the unwavering sincerity with which every ridiculous twist is treated, from one-night stands with a cuy fighter and multiple fires to violent abductions and a heartbroken lover riding her motorcycle off a cliff.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Already, the fires have been burning for days.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
These gadgets, imported from China or Russia or homemade in the US with 3D printers, transform a semiautomatic weapon—which fires a single round with each trigger pull—into a fully automatic one, able to discharge at a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute, limited only by the capacity of the magazine.
—Simon Akam, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Orion will spend 90-minutes in its initial orbit, before the second stage fires its engines twice to send Orion to a high Earth elliptical orbit.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The officer fires his gun and kills Otto about 30 seconds later.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 27 Mar. 2026
For example, if an employer fires an employee because of heavy menstrual bleeding resulting in leaking, that would violate the new law.
—Ann Juliano, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Duke fires the shot that kills the king Dying Tommy insists Duke finish him off with the bullet like a lame horse.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
When a police department fires an officer, state law requires the agency to notify CLEET.
—Ashlynd Baecht, The Frontier, 19 Mar. 2026
Three shots can be heard as the officer fires his gun.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
The risk is if Iran fires on those ships.
—NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fires
Noun
-
Now, infernos sweep through populous towns and cities.—
Susie Neilson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In a portion of the video that has been blurred, multiple shots can be heard as the officer shoots Serrano.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of waiting to be fouled, Cayden Boozer — who shoots about 81% from the line — tried for one more pass.—
Noah Trister,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … NUCLEAR AMBITIONS — Marco Rubio blasts Iranian foreign minister as 'a liar' about missile capabilities.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
As Ingrid blasts Muppets songs on the car speaker, Caldwell’s thoughts return to the topic of Kyrgyzstan.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Belber said the event traditionally stimulates the local economy, bringing visitors into hotels, bars, restaurants and retail shops, not to mention the prestige of highlighting the city of Albany in a tournament that draws international broadcast viewers.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Cumin stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, which can relieve bloating and diarrhea.—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Manning, back for what is probably his final season, is on the short list of best returning quarterbacks in the country and edge rusher Colin Simmons won the SEC sacks title with 12.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Riley Moss sacks a scrambling Trevor Lawrence on third-and-4 for a 1-yard loss.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
As Venus and Pluto clash, paranoia over a working relationship throws a wrench in a collaboration.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies throws to first base to complete a double play against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field on April 8, 2019 in Denver, Colorado.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For instance, walking at a brisk pace generally increases total energy expenditure and burns more calories per minute.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Chewing on the bulbs can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, profuse drooling and burns to the mouth.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fires. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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