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

• 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

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

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
• multiforme
• outperform
• piriform