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

Her data showed that people in low-risk areas were essentially subsidizing high-risk homes in California’s wealth enclaves such as the Pacific Palisades devastated by the January 2025 firestorm. — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Then came the media firestorm and an assistant coach who broke ranks to condemn the ousting. — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Yet in the twentieth century, when countries around the world prioritized the suppression of all wildfires, many areas became overgrown and susceptible to firestorms. — Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

The incendiary documentary, revolving around the testimony of 24 Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers which have since been challenged by the Israeli army, has prompted a political firestorm in Israel. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Sep. 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