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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Recent Examples of fires
Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Bass’ standing is weak across the electorate post-fires even as Hollywood’s crew unions and other labor groups have endorsed her.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
The goal is to always keep fires 95% contained, at 10 acres or less, Barta said.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 20 May 2026
Independence Fire Chief James Walker said that the structures have also been the site of multiple fires in recent months and years, posing an additional risk to fire, police and emergency medical responders.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Other significant blazes include the Bain, Verona, and Tusil fires, which have also led to evacuations.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Much of Pratt’s campaign has focused on the devastating fires in the Palisades last year and has attacked the response of Mayor Karen Bass.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Forestry Commission officials cautioned that fuel conditions remain extremely dry, and crews are still actively engaged in patrol, suppression and mop-up operations on both fires.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Hollis fires and Schultz fires his weapon a dozen times.
—Jason Rantala, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Giuffre then fires two shots at Griffin, who immediately drops to the ground.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Since the city adopted the video release policy more than a decade ago, experience has repeatedly demonstrated the fallacy of limiting inquiry to the precise moment when a police officer fires their gun.
—Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Garcia is opening his car door at that very moment, and fires nine shots at Denis with his 9 mm Glock pistol as Denis speeds toward and past him.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Hezbollah, though weakened in its last war with Israel that ended in November 2024, still fires drones, rockets and artillery daily into northern Israel and on ground troops inside Lebanon.
—Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026
This woman fires her immediately.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
Some forecasters are predicting that Northern California will see an above-normal incidence of significant fires due to the dryness of the vegetation, but the picture for Southern California is less clear.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Bass’ standing is weak across the electorate post-fires even as Hollywood’s crew unions and other labor groups have endorsed her.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
The goal is to always keep fires 95% contained, at 10 acres or less, Barta said.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 20 May 2026
Independence Fire Chief James Walker said that the structures have also been the site of multiple fires in recent months and years, posing an additional risk to fire, police and emergency medical responders.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Other significant blazes include the Bain, Verona, and Tusil fires, which have also led to evacuations.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Much of Pratt’s campaign has focused on the devastating fires in the Palisades last year and has attacked the response of Mayor Karen Bass.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Forestry Commission officials cautioned that fuel conditions remain extremely dry, and crews are still actively engaged in patrol, suppression and mop-up operations on both fires.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Verb
Only the United States, a few NATO allies, Russia and Iran are believed to have this kind of high-speed torpedo, which fires air ahead of the weapon to reduce the drag of the water.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Hollis fires and Schultz fires his weapon a dozen times.
—Jason Rantala, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Giuffre then fires two shots at Griffin, who immediately drops to the ground.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Since the city adopted the video release policy more than a decade ago, experience has repeatedly demonstrated the fallacy of limiting inquiry to the precise moment when a police officer fires their gun.
—Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Garcia is opening his car door at that very moment, and fires nine shots at Denis with his 9 mm Glock pistol as Denis speeds toward and past him.
—Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Hezbollah, though weakened in its last war with Israel that ended in November 2024, still fires drones, rockets and artillery daily into northern Israel and on ground troops inside Lebanon.
—Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026
This woman fires her immediately.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 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
-
But the responsibility to inform should not fall on the shoulders of the women who’ve survived these ordeals.—
Tina Sturdevant,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
Others have also turned their personal ordeals into stories of inspiration.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s no way that one guy on their team shoots more free throws than our team.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
That water is heated by magma below and shoots back upward, bringing with it precious minerals such as copper, zinc and gold, along with the iron and sulfur found in the snail’s shell.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
By delivering low-frequency electrical pulses, the implant stimulates those receptors and influences how the body responds to rising blood pressure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
The caffeine in coffee stimulates the bowels.—
Ashley Olivine,
Verywell Health,
11 May 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 if aware that things are about to get confusing for the audience, writer-director Ritchie throws plenty of narration at us early on, emanating from Rachel Wild (Eiza Gonzalez), the sort of ultra-confident lawyer who clearly dresses for success.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
Schlittler throws a fastball — a four-seamer, a two-seam sinker or his cutter — 91 percent of the time.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
In the opening minutes of Dutton Ranch, Beth and Rip are blissfully happy on their new Montana ranch — until a wildfire breaks out and burns their entire property to the ground.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Kristen finds her way back to her natural vivacity, but the brightness burns differently.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fires. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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