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

Getting Lemon, who can stay primarily in the slot, would give the Rams even more offensive firepower. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

For example, four aircraft could deploy up to 48 missiles in a single mission, matching the firepower of dedicated strike formations. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026

Japan agreed on April 18 on a deal to provide Australia's navy with the first of almost a dozen stealth frigates, part of a wider military build up by Canberra aimed at boosting its long-range firepower to deter China. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026

Who the Aggies lost/gained through transfer portal UCD lost some firepower through the portal with Pinnick heading to Washington State and 2025 leading rusher Carter Vargas bolting for the Bay Area to play for Cal. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 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