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 of firepower

• power
• strength
• energy
• capability
• muscle
• capacity

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

Mexican drug cartels are escalating their firepower, deploying car bombs, explosive drones and roadside IEDs in a campaign that’s rippling from small cities to Mexico’s tense relationship with Washington. — María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Flagg, last year's Rookie of the Year, has high expectations thrust upon him, especially with the return of veterans like Kyrie Irving to add more firepower, ball handling and play making to the lineup from last season. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Could the Bengals’ defense, a pain point for this club for the last couple seasons, get upgrades to match the offensive firepower Zac Taylor’s team possesses? — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Raising military pay and expanding firepower were positive measures, but whether Tinubu maintains the political energy needed to fully implement structural changes beyond this election season remains to be seen, Barnett said. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for firepower

• candlepower
• cauliflower
• overpower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• horsepower
• manpower

Kids Definition

firepower

noun

fire·​pow·​er -ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

: the ability to deliver gunfire or warheads on a target