Definition of firebrand
1 : a piece of burning wood
2 : one that creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting a cause) : agitator
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Examples of firebrand in a Sentence
a firebrand who urged crowds to riot during the blackouts
Recent Examples of firebrand from the Web
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On Jan. 20 in Seattle, a shooting outside University of Washington’s Kane Hall where alt-right firebrand Milo Yiannopoulus was scheduled to speak, left Josh Duke, an anti-fascist demonstrator, in critical condition after he was shot.
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And then there were the perpetual allegations against the far-right firebrand Marine Le Pen, Macron’s principal rival in the final round of the election.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the Democratic firebrand, progressive folk hero and persistent irritant to Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader.
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A bit more deference toward congressional firebrands would be wise.
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The University of California-Berkley canceled a speech by conservative firebrand Ann Coulter in April due to security concerns.
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The University of California, Berkeley canceled a speech by conservative firebrand Ann Coulter in April due to security concerns.
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UC Berkeley canceled a speech by conservative firebrand Ann Coulter in April due to security concerns.
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The biotech firebrand's latest idea seems even more fantastic.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'firebrand'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
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.
First Known Use of firebrand
14th century
FIREBRAND Defined for English Language Learners
firebrand
playDefinition of firebrand for English Language Learners
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: a person who tries to get people to become angry and to do things for a political or social cause
Learn More about firebrand
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See words that rhyme with firebrand Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for firebrand Nglish: Translation of firebrand for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of firebrand for Arabic speakers
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