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
The firestorm began with allegations made by Lindsey Hill.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Last week, a lawmaker triggered a firestorm with her legally unviable attempt to suspend Petro until after the election.
—Ines Capdevila, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Well, that caused a firestorm among NATO members.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 18 June 2026
But this year, there have been increasing signs that the Academies’ ability to dodge political firestorms has reached its limit.
—ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Last week, a lawmaker triggered a firestorm with her legally unviable attempt to suspend Petro until after the election.
—Ines Capdevila, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Well, that caused a firestorm among NATO members.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 18 June 2026
But this year, there have been increasing signs that the Academies’ ability to dodge political firestorms has reached its limit.
—ArsTechnica, 12 June 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 25 Jun. 2026.
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