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
as in to provoke
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the dynamic speaker fired up the audience as no one had previously done
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
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Fir is fire resistant and does not require any chemical treatments—which is critical to avoid impacting the taste of wine in the cellars.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The idea that Trump would try to fire Powell has been frequently speculated on, in part due to the president’s harsh public comments.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Noun
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
(1) Infrastructure in forms of roads and increased police and fire due to the growing population.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Fir is fire resistant and does not require any chemical treatments—which is critical to avoid impacting the taste of wine in the cellars.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
To understand why, consider the Stinger: a surface-to-air missile with infrared capabilities to home in on targets but that is lightweight and shoulder fired.
—Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The idea that Trump would try to fire Powell has been frequently speculated on, in part due to the president’s harsh public comments.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fire
Noun
-
Sergeant Eshel and the others on duty died in the inferno.—
Isabel Kershner,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
-
With his wife trapped in the inferno, the protagonist must navigate competing priorities between saving lives and preventing a terrorist attack.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Kp index — which provides a rough guide to the intensity of aurora displays — may reach 6, which will see the auroral oval stretch farther south.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Within a few years, the intensity and demands of their big lives and careers brought new pressure — and problems for the couple.—
Liz McNeil,
People.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Four other individuals hid in a storage closet throughout the ordeal.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The five-hour ordeal ended after the hostage fled while retrieving water, prompting Akkad to chase him into the street, where he was hit by a police car.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The enthusiasm has spawned an industry that turns offal—a catchall term for an animal’s nonmuscular parts—into pill or powdered form.—
Valerie Trapp,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Royals broadcaster Rex Hudler wears his heart on his sleeve when calling games, and his enthusiasm is evident to anyone who has tuned to FanDuel Sports Kansas City.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The gauntlet begins with Monday’s road game in Dallas, where the Wild rallied late for a 3-2 overtime win on Dec. 27, in their first trip to the Lone Star State this season.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Boston may have a better chance at the division title this year now that Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is out for the entire season, but Saturday seemed to portend the American League East will still be more gauntlet than cake-walk.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Try to identify emotions beyond frustration, annoyance or other shades of anger.—
Caroline Fleck, Contributor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
-
There are moments of levity scattered throughout, a necessity when dealing with subject matter as harsh and cold as inevitable mortality, but they're surgically placed to extract the most emotion out of the player.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Paqueta’s performance was a factor behind West Ham restoring parity in the 86th minute, courtesy of Andy Robertson’s own goal from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Tonto from Harry and Tonto (1974) Art Carney won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a retiree who makes a cross country trip with his best friend, Tonto. 26.—
Devan Coggan,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The conversation revealed Francis' characteristic warmth and accessibility, moving many participants to tears.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
-
From red hair and circular blush at Coachella to the resurrection of minimal manicures for Easter, this week’s celebrity beauty moments were all about warmth and length for spring.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fire. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share