Synonyms of fire
120 similar words · 1 opposite word
Another word for fire is light. Other synonyms of fire are kindle, ignite, inflame, aflame and conflagrate. The opposite of fire is hire.
Synonyms and similar words for fire
verbTo set (something, often a building) on fire.
- inflameTo set (someone or something) on fire; to cause (someone or something) to burn, flame, or glow; to kindle.
- kindleTo start (a fire) or light (a torch, a match, coals, etc.).
- aflameSynonym of inflame (“to set (something) on fire; (figurative) to intensify or kindle (a feeling, such as appetite or...
- alightTo cast light on (something); to illuminate, to light up.
- conflagrateTo catch fire.
- fire upTo ignite.
- igniteTo set fire to (something), to light (something).
- enkindleTo kindle; to arouse or evoke.
- lightTo set fire to; to set burning.
- light upTo illuminate, to bring light to something, to brighten.
- set ablaze
- set afireSynonym of set on fire.
- set aflame
- set alightTo cause (something) to begin to burn.
- set fire
- set on fireTo cause to begin to burn.
- torchTo intentionally destroy (something) by setting it on fire, especially when committing arson in furtherance of some...
verbTo terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct...
- dehire
- dismiss
- give someone their cardsTo dismiss someone from employment; to fire or make redundant.
- give the boot
- give the elbowTo fire (an employee); to end a relationship with someone; to reject someone.
- give someone the heave-hoTo fire, expel or break up with someone.
- let goTo dismiss from employment.
- make redundant
- sackTo discharge from a job or position; to fire.
- terminateTo end the employment contract of an employee; to fire, lay off.
- throw out
- unhireTo fire; to terminate the employment of (somebody previously hired).
- axe figurativelyTo lay off, terminate or drastically reduce, especially in a rough or ruthless manner; to cancel.
- can US, euphemisticTo fire or dismiss an employee.
- decruit euphemisticTo reduce the workforce; to make (an employee) redundant.
- discardTo dismiss from employment, confidence, or favour; to discharge.
- remove
- dischargeTo relieve of an office or employment; to send away from service; to dismiss.
- downsize euphemisticTo terminate the employment of.
- give the axeTo fire (dismiss from employment).
- give someone the boot UKTo fire, sack, or eject someone.
- give the chop
- give someone the old heave-ho UK
- lay off USTo plan out (a navigational course) using a chart.
- let someone go euphemisticTo dismiss someone from an employment position or a relationship.
- pink slip USTo terminate the employment of.
- promote to customerTo end someone's employment.
- retrenchTo terminate the employment of a worker to reduce the size of a workforce; to make redundant.
- serve noticeTo fire; to terminate one's employment or formal association.
- shit-can vulgarTo dispose of in a shitcan (trash can); to throw out.
- term
verbTo shoot (a gun, rocket/missile, or analogous device).
verbTo shoot a gun, cannon, or similar weapon.
- open fireTo begin firing (weapons) at something or someone.
verbTo inflame; to irritate, as the passions.
- arouseTo stimulate or induce (feelings); pique.
- exciteTo arouse or bring out (e.g. feelings); to stimulate.
- animateTo give spirit or vigour to; to stimulate or enliven; to inspirit.
- awaken
- electrify figurativelyTo strongly excite, especially by something delightful or inspiring; to thrill.
- enflame figuratively
- enthrillTo cause to thrill.
- exhilarateTo excite, to thrill.
- fillipTo drive as if by a fillip (noun sense 1); to excite, stimulate, whet.
- fire the blood
- galvanize figurativelyTo shock or stimulate into sudden activity, as if by electric shock.
- gin upTo stir up, stimulate, enliven, incite.
- intoxicate figurativelyTo excite to enthusiasm or madness.
- quickenTo put (someone or something) in a state of activity or vigour comparable to life; to excite, to rouse.
- rouseOriginally chiefly followed by up: to cause (an emotional reaction, a feeling, etc.); to excite, to incite, to stir up.
- send slangTo get one going; move to excitement or rapture; to delight or thrill.
- set fire to figurativelyTo cause (something) to be on fire; to set (something) alight.
- sharpen figuratively
- stir the blood
- thrill
- vitaliseTo make more vigorous; to invigorate or stimulate.
- wakeTo put in motion or action; to arouse; to excite.
- warm the blood
- whet figurativelyTo make more keen or to stimulate (someone's appetite, interest, etc.); to hone, to sharpen.
- wind upTo excite.
- work upTo raise; to excite; to stir up.
- actuate
- goose
- fuel
- light a fire underTo motivate or encourage (someone) to start sooner or move faster.
- sting
- bring about
- draw
- drive
- encourage
- egg onTo encourage or coax (a person) to do something, especially something foolhardy or reckless.
- engender
- evoke
- foment
- goad
- impel
- incite
- induce
- instigate
- invoke
- lash
- motiveTo prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
- motivate
- obligate
- oblige
- push
- promote
- prompt
- provoke
- set off
- spark offTo initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.
- spur
- spur onTo spur or urge (someone) to do something.
- stimulate
- stir
- stir up
- stoke figurativelyTo feed, stir up, especially, a fire or furnace.
- tempt
- urge
- whip up
- exagitate obsoleteTo excite, stir up.
Opposite of fire
verbTo terminate the employment contract of (an employee), especially for cause (such as misconduct...
Meaning of fire
- noun A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
- noun An instance of this chemical reaction, especially when intentionally created and maintained in a specific location to a useful end (such as a campfire or a hearth fire).
- noun The occurrence, often accidental, of fire in a certain place, causing damage and danger.
fire in other languages
Questions about synonyms of fire
- What is another word for fire?
- Fire has 120 synonyms on Word.ws, such as light, kindle, ignite, inflame, aflame and conflagrate.
- What is the opposite of fire?
- The opposite of fire is hire.
- What does fire mean?
- Fire means a (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: fire (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of fire.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/fire. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.