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

The Titans offense, beat up on top of everything else, simply doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Bengals, even if Cincy’s defense can be porous at times. —Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024

The additional financial firepower that today’s fundraising will give Vapi is therefore vital, enabling the business to invest in engineering capacity. —David Prosser, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Atlanta should have enough firepower to pull away late. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

The death comes amid increasing tensions in the war as both sides escalate firepower. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 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