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
The Sun Devils were instead forced to punt and a reactionary firestorm began on social media.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Smith’s case has swiftly become the focus of a reproductive rights political firestorm characterized by two opposing viewpoints.
—Lindsey Breitwieser, The Conversation, 1 July 2025
His comments about transgender athletes whipped up a firestorm after the election, and some local Democrats are trying to find candidates to challenge him in a primary.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025
The ghosts have the answer June 19, 2025 More great reads
Immigration raid at car wash sparks tense scene, hours of protests in Bell.
L.A. needs new authority to oversee rebuilding after firestorms, panel says.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Smith’s case has swiftly become the focus of a reproductive rights political firestorm characterized by two opposing viewpoints.
—Lindsey Breitwieser, The Conversation, 1 July 2025
His comments about transgender athletes whipped up a firestorm after the election, and some local Democrats are trying to find candidates to challenge him in a primary.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 14 June 2025
The ghosts have the answer June 19, 2025 More great reads
Immigration raid at car wash sparks tense scene, hours of protests in Bell.
L.A. needs new authority to oversee rebuilding after firestorms, panel says.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 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 18 Jul. 2025.
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