n. 25B6; noun
a fire broke out : BLAZE, conflagration, inferno; flames, burning, combustion.
an electric fire : HEATER, radiator, convector.
he lacked fire : DYNAMISM, energy, vigour, animation, vitality, vibrancy, exuberance, zest, elan; passion, ardour, zeal, spirit, verve, vivacity, vivaciousness; enthusiasm, eagerness, gusto, fervour, fervency; informal pep, vim, go, get-up-and-go, oomph.
rapid machine-gun fire : GUNFIRE, firing, flak, bombardment.
they directed their fire at the prime minister : CRITICISM, censure, condemnation, denunciation, opprobrium, admonishments, brickbats; hostility, antagonism, animosity; informal flak.
pyro-.
25B6; verb
howitzers firing shells : LAUNCH, shoot, discharge, let fly with.
someone fired a gun : SHOOT, discharge, let off, set off.
(informal) he was fired : DISMISS, discharge, give someone their notice, lay off, let go, get rid of, axe, cashier; informal sack, give someone the sack, boot out, give someone the boot/bullet, give someone the elbow/push, give someone their marching orders; Brit. informal give someone their cards.
the engine fired : START, get started, get going.
(archaic) I fired the straw : LIGHT, ignite, set fire to, set on fire, set alight, set ablaze; informal torch; poetic/literary enkindle, inflame.
the stories fired my imagination : STIMULATE, stir up, excite, awaken, arouse, rouse, inflame, animate, inspire, motivate.
25A0; catch fire IGNITE, catch light, burst into flames, go up in flames.
25A0; on fire
the restaurant was on fire : BURNING, alight, ablaze, blazing, aflame, in flames; poetic/literary afire.
she was on fire with passion : ARDENT, passionate, fervent, excited, eager, enthusiastic.