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
Fans of the show caused a firestorm online, calling for the TV network to stop the season from airing.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Munshi had been outspoken for weeks about her support of Prejean Boller, with whom she was ideologically aligned on Israel, after Prejean Boller’s remarks during the antisemitism hearing caused a firestorm.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
After seeing what happened to Timothée Chalamet over the past two weeks, OBAA’s strategy of tamping down on any off-the-cuff remarks that could have set off a political firestorm suddenly looks a lot more prudent.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Apologies were swiftly made by host Alan Cumming, but the moment caused a firestorm over how it was handled.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Munshi had been outspoken for weeks about her support of Prejean Boller, with whom she was ideologically aligned on Israel, after Prejean Boller’s remarks during the antisemitism hearing caused a firestorm.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
After seeing what happened to Timothée Chalamet over the past two weeks, OBAA’s strategy of tamping down on any off-the-cuff remarks that could have set off a political firestorm suddenly looks a lot more prudent.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Apologies were swiftly made by host Alan Cumming, but the moment caused a firestorm over how it was handled.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
Cite this Entry
“Firestorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firestorm. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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