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

Greenhill, founded by M&A legend Bob Greenhill, hung on long enough for Mizuho to absorb it as the New York face of Japanese lending firepower. — semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Before, the Russian military concentrated almost all its firepower on cities and towns near the frontlines, particularly in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

But Lilly is hot on its heels, backed by its commercial firepower. — Annika Kim Constantino,elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

This discount is your biggest sign to retire your aging desktop or step up to tournament-grade mobile firepower. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 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