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

But after the firestorm of allegations included in the Times report, both of the event's major corporate sponsors -- American Express and Blackbird -- backed out, the Times reported Tuesday. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

Chalamet found himself at the center of a firestorm recently when clips resurfaced from his live conversation with Matthew McConaughey during a Variety and CNN town hall last month. —Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026

For a young actress weathering a public firestorm, the guidance clearly made an impression. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026

For a young actress weathering a public firestorm, the guidance of experienced colleagues clearly made an impression. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 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
• multiforme
• outperform
• piriform