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

News of their relationship and pregnancy caused a firestorm, with her husband filing for divorce shortly after news of her pregnancy broke. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026

Thompson’s killing unleashed a firestorm of ire against the US healthcare industry and generated a wave of support for Mangione. —Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

But this year, there have been increasing signs that the Academies’ ability to dodge political firestorms has reached its limit. —ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026

In that same county, the Grayslake Village Board recently approved a massive data-center complex, igniting a firestorm within the normally quiet exurb. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 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