firepower

noun

fire·​pow·​er ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

1

a

: the capacity (as of a military unit) to deliver effective fire on a target

b

: effective fire

2

a

: effective power or force

intellectual firepower

b

: the scoring ability of a team or player

Synonyms

• energy
• force
• horsepower
• might
• muscle
• potence
• potency
• power
• puissance
• sinew
• strength
• vigor

Examples of firepower in a Sentence

The army didn't have the firepower to defeat the invaders.

right now the President doesn't have the political firepower to push his programs through Congress

Recent Examples on the Web

Stargate’s founding partners do have lots of financial firepower. —Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

An upset win is possible, but Ohio State has too much firepower and does enough to win. —The Athletic College Football Staff, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025

Philadelphia has too much firepower in this game, though, and Barkley will make the difference. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025

Even when lacking significant firepower in the past, Brooklyn at least put up a fight. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

firepower

noun

fire·​pow·​er -ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

: the ability to deliver gunfire or warheads on a target