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

This reflects a broader shift toward decentralized firepower. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026

The margin was notable given the financial firepower arrayed against her. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Wall Street likes the idea of Netflix using its financial firepower for content investment instead of the mega-deal that would have come with execution and other risks. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026

Over the course of combat, players will see their gun meter fill up, and when there’s enough firepower, REACH can fire at an enemy for an instant kill. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 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