firestorm
noun
fire·storm
ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌstȯrm 
1
: a very intense and destructive fire usually accompanied by high winds
The Rooses' house and gardens were obliterated in the 1991 Oakland firestorm.—
Craig Summers Black
Craig Summers Black
especially
: one that is started by attack with nuclear or incendiary weapons and that creates a powerful updraft which causes very strong inrushing winds to develop in the surrounding area
His goal was to create firestorms like the ones that had consumed Hamburg and Dresden, conflagrations so vast and intense that nothing could survive them … —David M. Kennedy
David M. Kennedy 2
a
: a sudden or violent outburst
a firestorm of public protest
b
: a raging controversy
a political firestorm
Synonyms
Examples of firestorm in a Sentence
The bombing left the city engulfed in a firestorm.
His proposal set off a political firestorm.
a firestorm of public protest
Recent Examples on the Web
Two decades ago, two Utah Valley State College students ignited a firestorm after inviting documentary filmmaker Michael Moore to speak on campus.
—Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
The podcaster opened Sunday’s episode with a disclosure about her decision to sit down with Harris — an interview that ignited a firestorm on social media among Cooper’s regular listeners, some of whom accused her of propagating talking points of the Democratic Party and its presidential nominee.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
Just this week, Amazon issued a memo announcing a 5-day RTO mandate that quickly ignited a firestorm of criticism from its workforce.
—Liz Elting, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
Critics say these rules could be used by county officials who want to refuse certification, igniting a legal firestorm at a time when statewide results would need to be certified.
—Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for firestorm 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
The podcaster opened Sunday’s episode with a disclosure about her decision to sit down with Harris — an interview that ignited a firestorm on social media among Cooper’s regular listeners, some of whom accused her of propagating talking points of the Democratic Party and its presidential nominee.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
Just this week, Amazon issued a memo announcing a 5-day RTO mandate that quickly ignited a firestorm of criticism from its workforce.
—Liz Elting, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
Critics say these rules could be used by county officials who want to refuse certification, igniting a legal firestorm at a time when statewide results would need to be certified.
—Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for firestorm
Articles Related to firestorm
Dictionary Entries Near firestorm
Cite this Entry
“Firestorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firestorm. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share