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

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

2

a

: a sudden or violent outburst

a firestorm of public protest

b

: a raging controversy

a political firestorm

Synonyms of firestorm

• controversy
• debate
• dispute
• disputation
• disagreement

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

Selecting a replacement for Platner has become a firestorm within the party. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Major League Baseball then issued a warning, setting off a firestorm of controversy, criticism and a referral for an investigation from the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

After the devastating January 2025 firestorm, plans have been submitted or work has begun on at least 13 single-family lots that would create subdivisions for multifamily housing, according to Altadena Recovery Watch, a group of fire survivors. — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Other artists booked for other nights, including Morris Day, Martina McBride and Bret Michaels, canceled their plans amid the initial firestorm over whether Freedom 250 is a nonpartisan or MAGA-affiliated organization. — Chris Willman, Variety, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for firestorm

• chloroform
• coliform
• cribriform
• cruciform
• filiform
• fusiform
• isoform
• microform
• multiform
• outperform
• piriform
• plexiform