firing

noun

fir·​ing ˈfī-riŋ 

ˈfī-ər-iŋ

1

: the act or process of one that fires

2

: the process of maturing ceramic products by the application of heat

Synonyms of firing

• blasting
• bombardment
• barrage
• shot
• discharge
• volley

Examples of firing in a Sentence

found a flaw in the gun's firing

Recent Examples on the Web

An abysmal start to the 2025 season last fall led to Penn State firing then head coach James Franklin and promoting Smith on an interim basis. —Rich Walsh, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

Hegseth has fired numerous senior military officers and generals, many of them female or Black, leading some critics to question whether their race or gender contributed to their firing. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026

One of the most fascinating parts of Bondi’s firing is reading about the relationships between these women at the center of MAGA world. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026

Pentagon officials have not given a reason for the departure, which is the latest of more than a dozen firings of top generals and admirals. —Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing firing

• firing line
• firing pin
• firing range
• firing squad
• in the firing line
• on the firing line

Rhymes for firing

• hiring
• quiring
• tiring
• wiring
• acquiring
• admiring
• aspiring
• conspiring
• enquiring
• expiring
• inspiring
• perspiring