firebrand

noun

ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbrand How to pronounce firebrand (audio)
Definition of firebrandnext
as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent a firebrand who urged crowds to riot during the blackouts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of firebrand The ultra-nationalist party is led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right firebrand once deemed too extreme to serve in Israel’s military. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 Cruz, a conservative firebrand, is trying to rally the party’s base in a year where Republicans fear many of their voters will stay home. — Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026 Then the rise of talk radio, fueled by right-wing firebrand Limbaugh, and the advent of cable TV, especially Fox News and MSNBC (now MS NOW), started to balkanize the media landscape. — Edward Robert McClelland, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 Acton holds a narrow edge over Republican firebrand Vivek Ramaswamy, while Kaptur is contending with a tough reelection battle after Ohio Republicans redrew the boundaries of the longtime congresswoman’s district to pull in more GOP voters. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firebrand
  1. rebel
  2. agitator
  3. proponent
  4. demagogue
  5. supporter
  6. promoter
  7. insurgent
  8. provocateur
Noun
  • The attack comes as Colombia’s conservative government changes the nation’s security strategy and takes a more confrontational approach towards gangs and rebel groups.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The blast comes amid President Abelardo de la Espriella’s tougher security strategy, which includes ending rebel talks and renewing operations against gangs and armed groups.
    — Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebel
Noun
  • Scores of pages of planning documents and social media posts analyzed by Fox News Digital reveal that agitators have laid the groundwork for a coordinated campaign with money, logistics and a communications infrastructure behind their efforts.
    — Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • An agitator jumped onto the hood of an ICE vehicle and the officer driving applied the brakes.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of agitator
Noun
  • There is perhaps no greater proponent of the statement coat than Jennifer Lawrence.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026
  • On the other hand, proponents might argue that reliably identifying individuals at risk of committing serious crimes could benefit society.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • Unsheltered intertwined two plots related to the precarity of American life and the danger of demagogues—one set at the dawn of the MAGA era.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Unsheltered intertwined two plots related to the precarity of American life and the danger of demagogues — one set at the dawn of the MAGA era.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of demagogue
Noun
  • Polish President Karol Nawrocki forced his way into his nation’s high court as his supporters clashed against an army of police outside.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Harris thanked her for being a supporter of the program and players and coaches presented her with a card.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of supporter
Noun
  • The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Why concert tickets keep getting more expensive Artists, promoters, venues, and ticketing platforms all take a cut of each ticket.
    — James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of promoter
Noun
  • The Republican reckoning tests a party infrastructure reshaped around the president since his insurgent rise in 2015 transformed the GOP.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Will the Democrats have to contend with left-wing insurgents like Republicans did the Tea Party?
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of insurgent
Noun
  • Unsurprisingly given Greaves’ role as a provocateur, Dead Deities is a political project as much as an artistic one.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Mitchell went even further, one-upping the right-wing provocateur.
    — Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of provocateur

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fireballs
firebrand
firebrands
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Cite this Entry

“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firebrand. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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