1
as in inferno
a destructive burning
a number of suspicious fires in the neighborhood recently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in intensity
depth of feeling
had she the fire in her heart that a run for the White House requires?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ordeal
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
2
3
as in to stimulate
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 to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment
fired the secretary for incompetence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to throw
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 to burn
to set (something) on fire
lit some kindling before attempting to fire the logs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025
High schoolers complete fire, rescue training The MAAC Foundation, in partnership with Porter County Career and Technical Center, recently graduated its seventh Fire and Rescue Academy class, a release said.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 June 2025
An army official who couldn’t be named in line with military procedures said the shots were fired about a half-mile from the distribution site.
—Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Noun
On the way to a hospital, the vehicle carrying Rivera crashed and caught fire, according to police.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025
High schoolers complete fire, rescue training The MAAC Foundation, in partnership with Porter County Career and Technical Center, recently graduated its seventh Fire and Rescue Academy class, a release said.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Verb
In March 2022, Joseph was involved in an incident in the Dallas area in which he was identified as one of two passengers in a vehicle from which gunshots were fired that killed a 20-year-old man, according to ESPN.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 June 2025
An army official who couldn’t be named in line with military procedures said the shots were fired about a half-mile from the distribution site.
—Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
-
Achieving the effect required precise teamwork—all while the actor navigated the growing inferno.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
4 June 2025
-
As images of the inferno and its aftermath circulated, some took to social media to bemoan the loss while others celebrated its destruction.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
The intensity extended to the coaching staff: Canales showed up to last Wednesday’s media session with a raspy voice.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
As the back-and-forth between Israel and Iran picks up in its intensity, with no end in sight, is there any way to de-escalate tensions in the Mideast before the situation worsens?—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
One victim, the father of a crypto millionaire, was allegedly held for days in a house south of Paris — and reportedly had a finger severed during the ordeal.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
7 June 2025
-
Do your part and trust the process During Abraham’s challenging ordeal, his wife was also being tested.—
Monica Haider,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
These drugs stimulate the pancreas to release insulin, which then decreases blood sugar levels.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
During the growing season, the plant is a heavy feeder that needs regular fertilization to stimulate new growth and flowers.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
The Vandals sacked Rome in 455 — after Pope Leo cut a deal to prevent the city from being burned to the ground.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
12 June 2025
-
Nuno Espirito Santo, who presided over a dire four-month spell at Tottenham before being sacked in November, is evidence of that.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
He’s compensated by throwing a ton of sliders, with just over a 40% usage rate.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Police said protesters threw fireworks at officers during the standoff and police said stores were looted in the downtown area.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2023
-
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.—
Neeti Mehra,
Treehugger,
13 Sep. 2023
Noun
-
With enthusiasm building among opponents of the Iranian government, analysts and former officials are treating with caution speculation of an insurrection capable of actually ousting the country's leadership.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
-
However, their fresh perspective, general enthusiasm and tech fluency can be superpowers that breathe new life into an organization.—
Jill Shedek,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 23 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share