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

• energy
• force
• horsepower
• might
• muscle
• potence
• potency
• power
• puissance
• sinew
• strength
• vigor

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

Much like their air power predecessors, today’s Space Force stands at the forefront of a new era, where military strength is defined not by firepower or by contests of speed, but by software proficiency. —Charles Beames, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

In the end, Russia’s superior firepower and manpower overwhelmed Ukrainian forces over many months, even as Russia incurred a staggering number of casualties. —Marc Santora Tyler Hicks, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024

But Harvey believes Meeker has the firepower to dethrone Wray, a feat that would be even sweeter considering head coach J.C. Watt is stepping down at the end of the tournament following a 12-year run as the Cowboys’ head coach. —Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2024

This Kansas State team struggles mightily on offense and doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up with KU. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2024

Gangs that had been concentrated in particular neighborhoods grew in size, firepower and influence, sending the murder and kidnapping rate soaring. —Frances Robles, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024

Without the United States providing intelligence, training, and firepower to its allies, the Islamic State would be far more able to regroup, which would allow it to both gain more local influence and increase its ability to conduct international terrorist attacks. —Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024

But with nearly 100 growing gangs in the metropolitan area, the force just does not have the firepower or training to restore calm to the country, sources say. —Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024

Yet without James, the Lakers didn’t have much firepower to mount a comeback. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

firepower

noun

fire·​pow·​er -ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

: the ability to deliver gunfire or warheads on a target