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
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Immigration raid at car wash sparks tense scene, hours of protests in Bell.
L.A. needs new authority to oversee rebuilding after firestorms, panel says.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
That’s just before firestorms destroyed 12,000-plus structures around Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
There's been a lot of attention to nudity (or lack thereof) this year: Some attendees at this year's Met Gala caused a firestorm for a slew of naked looks.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 17 June 2025
So far, the federal government is in large part failing the victims of Los Angeles County’s January firestorms that swept through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
That’s just before firestorms destroyed 12,000-plus structures around Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
There's been a lot of attention to nudity (or lack thereof) this year: Some attendees at this year's Met Gala caused a firestorm for a slew of naked looks.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 17 June 2025
So far, the federal government is in large part failing the victims of Los Angeles County’s January firestorms that swept through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas.
—Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 14 June 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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