firing 1 of 2

noun

ˈfī-riŋ How to pronounce firing (audio)
Definition of firingnext
as in blasting
a directed propelling of a missile by a firearm or artillery piece found a flaw in the gun's firing

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firing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of fire
1
as in shooting
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force police officers firing rubber bullets

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2
as in discharging
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force soldiers fired at the enemy in panic-stricken disorder

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3
as in stimulating
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

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4
as in sacking
to let go from office, service, or employment fired the secretary for incompetence

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5
as in throwing
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm fired a pass to the running back

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6
as in burning
to set (something) on fire lit some kindling before attempting to fire the logs

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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 firing
Noun
Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who succeeded Noem after her firing, issued two more waivers allowing CBP to construct barrier systems. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Japan's Self-Defense Force has introduced its first long-range Type-25 land-to-ship missile to Yonaguni during the drill, though no test-firing is planned. — Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
Rescue operations were complicated, with police firing tear gas at people who had begun looting neighboring shops, as officers sought to clear the area and provide access to emergency response teams. — Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 Several reports say the attackers arrived on a motorcycle and fled after firing. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for firing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firing
  1. blasting
  2. shooting
  3. stimulating
  4. sacking
  5. throwing
  6. burning
  7. bombardment
  8. launching
Noun
  • The authority will be erecting acoustic barriers and will send alerts for blasting and other disruptions.
    — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Dandekar says the constant blasting of mountains to build these projects, including for miles-long tunnels, has its own impact.
    — Mamita Bhandari, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of blasting
Verb
  • Late in the second quarter, Jalen Brunson was shooting free throws as the brand-new Philadelphia 76ers star got heated with someone sitting near the sidelines.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Lemieux, 30, is making his PGA Tour debut this week after shooting a 66, the number synonymous with his father's illustrious NHL career, in a qualifying event in Florida last week.
    — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of shooting
Verb
  • Peptide enthusiasts also tout laboratory studies, such as a particular peptide stimulating blood vessel growth.
    — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In part that’s because voters see federal investment as creating local jobs and stimulating economic growth.
    — Kayla Morton, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • Then the defense picked it up last week, picking off Justin Herbert twice (one was called back) and sacking him four times.
    — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Sayin’s injury came after Hoosiers defender Mario Landino hit his throwing shoulder while sacking him.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of sacking
Verb
  • Jayden Daniels nearly salvaged the night without his top weapon, throwing second-half touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs and Rachaad White to cut the deficit to 23-17 before the 49ers' defense held firm on Washington's final possession.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • His final output was nothing to write home about, throwing for 264 yards to no touchdowns and one interception, but Dieffenbach more than passed the eye test.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of throwing
Verb
  • What’s less known is that indoor activity — cooking, keeping pets, burning candles and spraying perfumes — generates pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Jennings adds.
    — Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In 2006, the Charger stormed the market as a rubber-burning full-size sedan that gained muscle over the years, culminating in a 797-horsepower variant.
    — Matt Degen, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of burning
Noun
  • Kyiv has developed innovative strategies to mitigate the impact of Russian energy strikes and keep its grid running, even amid intense bombardment.
    — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Because Ukraine’s bombardment of Russian oil and diesel refineries has taken out a huge chunk of global supply.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of bombardment
Verb
  • One of the houses reportedly belonged to Chen Mechan, or Mad Dog, the gang accused of launching the attack on the technicians.
    — Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • French authorities will be launching a massive security operation with some 70,000 police officers deployed across the country over the weekend, according to the interior ministry.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of launching

Browse Nearby Words

fireworks
firing
firing (at)
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Cite this Entry

“Firing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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