firing squad

noun

Synonyms of firing squadnext
1
: a detachment detailed to fire volleys over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a detachment detailed to carry out a sentence of death by shooting

Examples of firing squad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The two-term Republican governor approved the firing squad as the state’s backup option for carrying out the death penalty in 2023, but has yet to use the method. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Mar. 2025 Sigmon chose the firing squad due to concerns about the prolonged suffering the three other inmates had faced when they were killed by lethal injection. — Landon Mion, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025 Ever since the party managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in last year’s presidential race, Democratic leaders and key influencers have reverted to the circular firing squads of blame to which losing campaigns inevitably return. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025 Sigmon's execution will be South Carolina's first undertaken using a firing squad since the state's Supreme Court ruled the practice was legal in July 2024. — Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for firing squad

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of firing squad was in 1864

Rhymes for firing squad

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Browse Nearby Words

firing ring
firing squad
firing step
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Cite this Entry

“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

firing squad

noun
fir·​ing squad
ˈfī(ə)r-iŋ-
1
: a military unit assigned to fire shots over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a military unit assigned to carry out a sentence of death by shooting

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