firebrand
noun
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The original firebrands were incendiary indeed; they were pieces of wood set burning at the fire, perhaps for use as a light or a weapon. English speakers started brandishing those literal firebrands as long ago as the 13th century. (Robinson Crusoe held one high as he rushed into a cave on his deserted island and saw by the light of the firebrand . . . lying on the ground a monstrous, frightful old he-goat.) But the burning embers of the wooden firebrand quickly sparked figurative uses for the term, too. By the early 14th century, firebrand was also being used for one doomed to burn in hell, and by 1382, English writers were using it for anyone who kindled mischief or inflamed passions.
Synonyms of firebrand
Examples of firebrand in a Sentence
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025
Right-wing firebrand Steve Bannon admitted Republicans lost ground, but insisted the political answer is to hew closer to Trump‘s message of economic populism.
—Dave Goldiner, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
The 63-year-old former assemblyman isn’t campaigning as a culture warrior or firebrand.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, the other Republican in the race, is backed by state Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, the firebrand conservative who traded bitter attacks with Issa when both were running for a congressional seat in 2020.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firebrand. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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firebrand
noun
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