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

That firepower proves too much for USC, which gets beat at home for the first time since November 2024. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Defending champion Dakota Ridge lost a lot of firepower to graduation, but the Eagles also can’t be counted out. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026

Still, despite missing some serious firepower, Dallas kept things close. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

More firepower The additional launch cells could matter most when Type 054Bs operate with smaller task groups or without major destroyer support. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 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