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 Bongino Report, the website of the right-wing firebrand who would eventually serve a brief term as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, claimed that Check My Ads was violating tax rules. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 Now, the right-wing firebrand has managed to win the backing of at least four billionaires as of May 6, according to the latest available election data—including the CEO and cofounder of Kalshi. — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 A lot of the show has a low-to-medium simmer that feels appropriate for an firebrand of 85 whose pilot light is going strong but who isn’t worried about acting like a 30-year-old rocker, either. — Chris Willman, Variety, 21 June 2026 What began as a harmless project took a turn when Ben Shapiro, the right-wing firebrand, made a reaction video to one of Uncle Pappy’s clips in June 2024, taking his comedic comments at face value. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 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
  • Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed an attack on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery Sunday, a major crude oil refinery located on the Red Sea coast in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
    — Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Attacks could draw retaliation and reignite Yemen’s war Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen, forcing the government into exile.
    — Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebel
Noun
  • Naturally, Cornyn’s increasing role as a White House agitator and swing vote hasn’t gone over well with the MAGA base.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026
  • Some of the speculation comes from state workers who are unhappy with the governor’s decision, the moderator said, but the subreddit’s activity also attracts outside agitators who are obviously not government employees.
    — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of agitator
Noun
  • But lawmakers appear to be turning to the provisions as a means of transitioning away from that model and toward what proponents, including Netanyahu, describe as a mutually beneficial defense partnership.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Although proponents say the substances help with weight loss, energy and muscle mass, and often cite research that has been done solely on animals or on a very small number of humans, no one knows for certain how or when it should be used in humans.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • The Constitution was crafted out of fear — fear of concentrated power, factional dominance, corruption, demagogues, unchecked executives, and the use of public office for personal gain.
    — Paul Oestreicher, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Definition of demagogue
Noun
  • Even her supporters glance askance at one another during her rambling entreaties.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Cliven Bundy, the family patriarch, rallied hundreds of supporters to block the roundup of his cattle, sparking a days long armed standoff between law enforcement and the Bundy group near the town of Bunkerville, outside of Las Vegas.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of supporter
Noun
  • The order is the latest in a long-running SEBI probe into Zee’s promoters.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Lollapalooza’s promoter, C3 Presents, is now on the hook for the cleanup, including what could be a costly restoration of Grant Park’s grass, which had disappeared under the crowds by the festival’s third day.
    — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of promoter
Noun
  • An endorsement in this race could signal a preference for either the insurgent progressive wing of the party or for the more moderate establishment.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
  • Hong, who has run as an insurgent candidate, tried to cast herself as the one who could bring together Republicans, Democrats, independents and democratic socialists.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 July 2026
Definition of insurgent
Noun
  • The faux outrage was egged on by professional right-wing provocateurs like Robby Starbuck, Benny Johnson and a leading investor in MAGA darling Steak n’ Shake.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In the movie, out July 31, Hoffman plays fresh college grad Elliot, who lands an exciting job for renowned artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Wilde).
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Definition of provocateur

Browse Nearby Words

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 10 Aug. 2026.

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