firebrand
noun
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The original firebrands were incendiary indeed; they were pieces of wood set burning at the fire, perhaps for use as a light or a weapon. English speakers started brandishing those literal firebrands as long ago as the 13th century. (Robinson Crusoe held one high as he rushed into a cave on his deserted island and saw by the light of the firebrand . . . lying on the ground a monstrous, frightful old he-goat.) But the burning embers of the wooden firebrand quickly sparked figurative uses for the term, too. By the early 14th century, firebrand was also being used for one doomed to burn in hell, and by 1382, English writers were using it for anyone who kindled mischief or inflamed passions.
Examples of firebrand in a Sentence
Chris Lee, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
Before Trump returned to power, Canada’s Liberals – in power for nearly a decade – appeared bereft of energy and ideas, with polls showing them on track for a heavy defeat to the Conservatives, led by the firebrand Pierre Poilievre.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
The new firebrand of an acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia promises to bring sweeping changes to how the nation’s capital uses the city’s prosecutorial tools.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Mar. 2025
The firebrand Houston lawmaker’s colleagues voted 224-198 to hit him with what amounts to a slap on the wrist over his cane-waving interruption of Trump on Tuesday night.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Cite this Entry
“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firebrand. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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firebrand
noun
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