baptism of fire
noun phrase
variants
or chiefly US baptism by fire
1
: an introductory or initial experience that is a severe ordeal
especially
: a soldier's first exposure to enemy fire
2
: a spiritual baptism by a gift of the Holy Spirit
—often used in allusion to Acts 2:3–4; Matthew 3:11 (Revised Standard Version)
Examples of baptism of fire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Liam Hemsworth is experiencing a true baptism of fire.
—
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
The house of their dark origins goes up in a baptism of fire, but the bond reforged within it is destined to flicker out the second the check on the insurance claim clears.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Critics say appointing a Macron loyalist on such a day amounts to a baptism of fire for Lecornu.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
This summer will have been a baptism of fire for Underwood, too, jumping from the insulated confines of academy football into the bearpit of a window that will go some way to deciding whether Leeds are relegated or not.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The ex-Flamengo player suffered a baptism of fire with the national team when Argentina smashed the 'Seleção’ 4-1 in March.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
What a baptism of fire, filming on that ship.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Under an intense spotlight, Legge’s debut was a baptism of fire.
—Don Riddell, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
In the world of academia, the pursuit of tenure is a baptism of fire to prove one’s research significance and serves as a rite of passage marking a major milestone in one’s career.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
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Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
The house of their dark origins goes up in a baptism of fire, but the bond reforged within it is destined to flicker out the second the check on the insurance claim clears.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Critics say appointing a Macron loyalist on such a day amounts to a baptism of fire for Lecornu.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
This summer will have been a baptism of fire for Underwood, too, jumping from the insulated confines of academy football into the bearpit of a window that will go some way to deciding whether Leeds are relegated or not.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The ex-Flamengo player suffered a baptism of fire with the national team when Argentina smashed the 'Seleção’ 4-1 in March.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
What a baptism of fire, filming on that ship.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Under an intense spotlight, Legge’s debut was a baptism of fire.
—Don Riddell, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
In the world of academia, the pursuit of tenure is a baptism of fire to prove one’s research significance and serves as a rite of passage marking a major milestone in one’s career.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Baptism of fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baptism%20of%20fire. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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