as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a firebrand who urged crowds to riot during the blackouts
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Recent Examples of firebrand
Now, as Trump breaks another norm – and American political tradition – by inviting foreign presidents and prime ministers to his Jan. 20 inauguration, these firebrands are at the top of his list.
—
Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
The conservative media firebrand, a leading MAGA voice, has already noted his dissent against Trump's alignment with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — but the president-elect has seemingly sided with the world's richest man.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 19 Jan. 2025
The firebrand governor rose to prominence during COVID-19.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2025
In the first days of last week’s firestorm, crews were on the defensive as extreme winds blew red-hot firebrand and embers across the landscape, starting fires faster than they could be put out.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for firebrand 
Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
The conservative media firebrand, a leading MAGA voice, has already noted his dissent against Trump's alignment with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — but the president-elect has seemingly sided with the world's richest man.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 19 Jan. 2025
The firebrand governor rose to prominence during COVID-19.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2025
In the first days of last week’s firestorm, crews were on the defensive as extreme winds blew red-hot firebrand and embers across the landscape, starting fires faster than they could be put out.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for firebrand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firebrand
Noun
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Last week, a humanitarian ceasefire announced by M23 fell apart almost immediately after it was declared, as the rebels swiftly advanced into Nyabibwe.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN,
12 Feb. 2025
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Trump could also run into problems in Congress where the Republicans have only a slim majority in both the Senate and House, meaning a small number of GOP rebels could disrupt his plans.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At first, the government tried to ignore the protests, then began to use force and accused the protests of being infiltrated by foreign agitators.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
31 Jan. 2025
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Some of those who have previously advanced Trump’s interests in Europe now see Musk as an unfettered, even less polished version of the president; an agitator whose style and ambition has come to mirror Trump’s.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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White-Cain is a proponent of the prosperity theology, which is centered around financial and physical well-being being done through the will of God.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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Others might argue that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is an enthusiastic proponent of freedom of expression.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Many Latines who are conservative in the U.S. come from countries where similar right-wing demagogues were elected in the last decade.—
Nicole Froio,
refinery29.com,
6 Nov. 2024
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Trump’s statecraft is, in these respects, not the impulse of a misguided and capricious demagogue but an appropriate response to a changing world and a changing America.—
Charles A. Kupchan,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Still, some Trump supporters are eager for a tougher approach.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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Vern was also a big supporter of his grandchildren in their school activities such as soccer, football, and wrestling.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Lester was also a large promoter of agriculture for the county and state.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
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Concert venues, party promoters and event creators are pulling out all of the stops, presenting a bevy of opportunities for Chicagoans to celebrate the big day, whether with their beloved or with a group of friends.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The day was marked by mixed emotions as two of our volunteers, Samuel and Harut, learned that Syrian towns had fallen to insurgents after Bashar al-Assad's exit.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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In Mogadishu, Somalia, the State Department instructed security guards who were protecting an arms depot from insurgents to simply walk off the site, according to a company official.—
Brett Murphy,
ProPublica,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Whether this signals a future collaboration between Poppy and Carpenter remains to be seen, but for now, the metal provocateur has put her own mark on one of the year’s biggest pop hits.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
7 Feb. 2025
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Just last August, Kanye West’s former chief of staff and right-wing provocateur, Milo Yiannopoulos, alleged that West’s nitrous oxide addiction was costing the rapper more than $50,000 a month.—
Ben Dandridge-Lemco,
Rolling Stone,
29 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firebrand. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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