Thesaurus results for SMALL ARMS

small arms

noun

plural of small arm

as in guns

a portable weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder the soldiers keep their small arms securely in their holsters when not on patrol

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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 small arms Firefly enables precision strikes, achieving 2-7 feet accuracy from high altitudes (600-2000+ feet), thereby reducing vulnerability to small arms fire and jamming. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 The area is also often used for smuggling of wildlife and small arms, the report says. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 Earlier, Rostec also highlighted that small arms’ performance characteristics remain unchanged when using the Mnogotochie, eliminating the need for modifications or installation of attachments. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026 Those women and girls made millions of rounds of small arms ammunition, as well as cannonballs and explosives for the war effort. — Christopher Derose, CBS News, 26 June 2026 Ciber’s unit has five such machines, used sparingly, and is preparing another, faster robot, capable of covering 10 miles an hour, to carry Kalashnikov small arms into battle. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026 In some cases, small arms fire and high rate-of-fire machine guns have proved effective against low-flying drones. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026 In the virtual panel discussion last week, union leaders described the Lake City facility as the largest producer of small arms ammunition for the armed forces. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026 News reports said the helicopters faced small arms fire but made it out safely with the pilot. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for small arms

Noun

This modular system enables rapid tool changes in minutes, allowing the robot to switch between chainsaws, drills, impact guns, and industrial screwdrivers.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
The walls are decorated with lamps and replica guns, and in future the group plans to add a projector and an air-conditioning unit.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of guns

Noun

Days later, Brun was caught on the wire plotting to acquire a rifle for Manguchei, who, as a felon, was not allowed to own firearms.

— Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Currently, state law restricts open carry of firearms only in public buildings with security measures like metal detectors and guards.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of firearms

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small arms

small beer

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“Small arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20arms. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of small arms

noun

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