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

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

2

a

: a sudden or violent outburst

a firestorm of public protest

b

: a raging controversy

a political firestorm

Synonyms of firestorm

• controversy
• debate
• dispute
• disputation
• disagreement

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

Yet in the twentieth century, when countries around the world prioritized the suppression of all wildfires, many areas became overgrown and susceptible to firestorms. — Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

The incendiary documentary, revolving around the testimony of 24 Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers which have since been challenged by the Israeli army, has prompted a political firestorm in Israel. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

Macklemore announced his donation in the midst of the ongoing firestorm surrounding his removal from the Loop Tour. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026

The report, which examined the first three months after the firestorm, is the second major after-action review ordered by the county Board of Supervisors and carried out by McChrystal Group, a consulting firm based in Alexandria, Va. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for firestorm

• chloroform
• coliform
• cribriform
• cruciform
• filiform
• fusiform
• isoform
• microform
• multiform
• outperform
• piriform
• plexiform