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
Two social media posts let to a firestorm of fan theories.
—Bryan West, The Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
He’s faced a firestorm of controversy this year, and Democrats are targeting his seat in next year’s election.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
Rory McIlroy has never been one to shy away from making headlines, but his decision to skip the opening round of the FedEx Cup playoffs has ignited a firestorm of debate across the golf world.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
This has sparked a firestorm among Trump’s supporters and many attempts by the president to distract from the backlash.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Bryan West, The Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025
He’s faced a firestorm of controversy this year, and Democrats are targeting his seat in next year’s election.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
Rory McIlroy has never been one to shy away from making headlines, but his decision to skip the opening round of the FedEx Cup playoffs has ignited a firestorm of debate across the golf world.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
This has sparked a firestorm among Trump’s supporters and many attempts by the president to distract from the backlash.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 July 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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