firestorm
noun
fire·storm
ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌstȯrm 
1
: a very intense and destructive fire usually accompanied by high winds
The Rooses' house and gardens were obliterated in the 1991 Oakland firestorm.—
Craig Summers Black
Craig Summers Black
especially
: one that is started by attack with nuclear or incendiary weapons and that creates a powerful updraft which causes very strong inrushing winds to develop in the surrounding area
His goal was to create firestorms like the ones that had consumed Hamburg and Dresden, conflagrations so vast and intense that nothing could survive them … —David M. Kennedy
David M. Kennedy 2
a
: a sudden or violent outburst
a firestorm of public protest
b
: a raging controversy
a political firestorm
Examples of firestorm in a Sentence
The bombing left the city engulfed in a firestorm.
His proposal set off a political firestorm.
a firestorm of public protest
Recent Examples on the Web
There was an entire firestorm over North Carolina’s social media channels and the coverage of Patriots QB Drake Maye, or lack thereof.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Federal Communications Chairman Brendan Carr has committed to appearing before the Senate Commerce Committee following remarks about Jimmy Kimmel that set off a free speech firestorm last month.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
But Kimmel—who also provided a thoughtful, compassionate response to the firestorm, thanking supporters on both sides of the aisle—hasn’t actually returned to a pre-Brendan Carr state of affairs.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
That’s because, after nearly a week of staying silent, Kimmel is finally expected to address Disney’s decision to suspend his show last Wednesday, setting off a free speech firestorm.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Chris Branch, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Federal Communications Chairman Brendan Carr has committed to appearing before the Senate Commerce Committee following remarks about Jimmy Kimmel that set off a free speech firestorm last month.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
But Kimmel—who also provided a thoughtful, compassionate response to the firestorm, thanking supporters on both sides of the aisle—hasn’t actually returned to a pre-Brendan Carr state of affairs.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
That’s because, after nearly a week of staying silent, Kimmel is finally expected to address Disney’s decision to suspend his show last Wednesday, setting off a free speech firestorm.
—Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
Cite this Entry
“Firestorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firestorm. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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