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
But the report itself has ignited a firestorm of debate within the field of counterterrorism and extremism research.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
This seventh win of the year comes amid a firestorm of coaching rumors surrounding Kiffin, who's been consistently named as a top candidate to replace Billy Napier as the Florida Gators' new head coach in Gainesville.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Two places whose nature this law won’t change soon are Altadena and the Pacific Palisades district of Los Angeles, both decimated in last January’s firestorms.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Massey's killing ignited a national firestorm, prompting protesters across the country to call for justice for Massey, who had mental health issues, according to her family.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
This seventh win of the year comes amid a firestorm of coaching rumors surrounding Kiffin, who's been consistently named as a top candidate to replace Billy Napier as the Florida Gators' new head coach in Gainesville.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Two places whose nature this law won’t change soon are Altadena and the Pacific Palisades district of Los Angeles, both decimated in last January’s firestorms.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Massey's killing ignited a national firestorm, prompting protesters across the country to call for justice for Massey, who had mental health issues, according to her family.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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