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

Their track record is too good to worry about one game, especially given the firepower the Oilers have on the other side, with McDavid leading the way. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 June 2024

This time the assault on Capitol Hill and state legislatures across the country comes with firepower and a social media onslaught of deepfakes. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 June 2024

One stage may require several tanks to soak up damage up front others while others may need the offensive firepower of assassins. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 13 June 2024

Anthony’s Knicks didn’t have enough firepower for the stingy Pacer defense that moved past New York in the 2013 Eastern Conference semis to lose to LeBron James’ Miami Heat in the conference finals. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 May 2024

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