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

The Northwestern defense was understandably caught off guard by the switch, and Huard completed a 10-yard pass for a first down to receiver Tanook Hines, which caused a firestorm on social media. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

Those dynamics set off a firestorm of activity on the Hill and at the White House — and it is set to stretch to next week. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 13 Nov. 2025

But the blowback is the latest firestorm the president has faced from his own loyal supporters since returning to office. —Will Steakin, ABC News, 12 Nov. 2025

Today, few things are marketed as aggressively as political anger, as seen in the recent firestorm against Bad Bunny. —Adam G. Klein, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025

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
• multiforme
• outperform
• piriform