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
Relevance
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
On the billboard is a photo of Díaz-Rosillo embracing the Argentinian president and right-wing firebrand.
—
Daniel Rivero,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
Here’s the liberal firebrand who wants to shake up Sacramento.
—
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
Faye took office in April 2024 after winning a landslide election mostly built on Sonko’s popularity as an opposition firebrand.
—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
23 May 2026
The town’s crises — chief among them rampant homelessness and departing film and TV production — have created an opening for Pratt, who emerged as a populist firebrand after his family’s house burned down in the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Daniel Rivero,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
Here’s the liberal firebrand who wants to shake up Sacramento.
—
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
Faye took office in April 2024 after winning a landslide election mostly built on Sonko’s popularity as an opposition firebrand.
—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
23 May 2026
The town’s crises — chief among them rampant homelessness and departing film and TV production — have created an opening for Pratt, who emerged as a populist firebrand after his family’s house burned down in the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firebrand
Noun
-
Well after the first Darfur war had faded from headlines, this duo continued to put down rebel groups throughout the country through brutal methods.
-
Finding an off-ramp is increasingly becoming necessary for GOP leadership as House rebels threaten to shut down the floor in the absence of a path forward.
Noun
-
The majority of speakers at Tuesday’s board meeting urged the board not to allow online agitators to dictate personnel decisions.
-
In recent years, agitators have fueled anti-immigration street violence following crimes committed by, or falsely reported to have been committed by, immigrants.
Noun
-
This year, as a hopeful reality competition host nominee and proponent of Top Chef earning another reality competition series nom, Kish finds herself in a unique position as a participant on season four of fellow Emmys juggernaut The Traitors.
-
David DaCosta, of the 18-acre Ace*Mission Studios, is among those pushing for what’s known as a Business Improvement District, or BID, in the area that proponents refer to as the Boyle Heights Industrial Flats, which runs adjacent to the river.
Noun
-
But those standards can be easily stretched by demagogues, and a simple majority on the committee is enough to ban a party, though a panel of nine Supreme Court justices can overturn the decision on appeal.
-
But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.
Noun
-
Some fans, including Scottish supporter Rory Syme, arrived early and gathered near a shopping center by the stadium while waiting for gates to open.
-
On Election Day, Schlossberg was campaigning out in the rain despite the concerning polls, hearing stories from passersby about their Kennedy encounters over the years and taking selfies with starstruck supporters.
Noun
-
Under the new alliance, DAZN can curate matches based on its alliances with top boxing promoters, including Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, and Queensberry Promotions.
-
Venue and promoter newsletters are some of the most reliable presale sources, according to Seat Insiders.
Noun
-
But what local powers must be surrendered to the insurgent American collectivity?
-
The province has been the center of a long-running separatist insurgency, with insurgents demanding independence or greater control over local resources.
Noun
-
Objection’s Founder and CEO is Aron D’Souza, an Australian entrepreneur and provocateur best known as the mastermind behind Thiel’s litigation strategy against Gawker, which involved a patient, extensive search for the ideal proxy plaintiff to sink the online news outlet.
-
Wilde’s character, who is a boundary-pushing artist and provocateur, pairs the intimates with a matching swipe of red lipstick, black liquid eyeliner, and a black leather belt and skirt.
Cite this Entry
“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firebrand. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
