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
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
This dramatic shift, marked by his alignment with The Rock and apparent betrayal of his devoted fanbase, has ignited a firestorm of anticipation for the Undisputed WWE Title match against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Members of the Bay State’s congressional delegation joined the firestorm of outrage surrounding disclosure of U.S. attack plans on an unsecure chat app, calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, even as the Trump administration insisted no classified material was revealed.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
His findings have ignited a firestorm of worry and debate, leaving many parents feeling overwhelmed and desperate for solutions to protect their children's well-being in the digital age.
—Mackenzie Price, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The comments ignited a firestorm from MAGA personalities.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Members of the Bay State’s congressional delegation joined the firestorm of outrage surrounding disclosure of U.S. attack plans on an unsecure chat app, calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, even as the Trump administration insisted no classified material was revealed.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
His findings have ignited a firestorm of worry and debate, leaving many parents feeling overwhelmed and desperate for solutions to protect their children's well-being in the digital age.
—Mackenzie Price, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The comments ignited a firestorm from MAGA personalities.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
Cite this Entry
“Firestorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firestorm. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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