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 25-year-old firebrand made a critical tag at the plate to prevent the go-ahead run from scoring in the ninth inning and found himself in the middle of an incident where the benches briefly cleared in the 10th. — Kyle Glaser, Oc Register, 7 July 2026 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 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
  • Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former rebel commander who has served as Syria’s President since 2025, has been outward looking since taking power.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Dozens of rebel and militia groups operate across eastern Congo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebel
Noun
  • Compared to front load washers, top load washers have what’s called an agitator in the center of the vertical drum that’s used to create friction amongst the clothes when washing.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of agitator
Noun
  • On Monday, the act gained its highest-profile proponent yet when New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his support for the legislation.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Andrew Sweetman, the Scottish marine biogeochemist who led the work, hadn’t made such claims, but he was still pilloried by fellow-scientists, and proponents of mining accused him of being an anti-mining crusader.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • In recent years, totalizing ideologies such as communism, fascism, and Islamism have found dedicated audiences on social media, and the proliferation of demagogues manipulating people for malign ends is an ever-present worry.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
  • And as Netanyahu’s coalitions hardened Schleien’s programs became edgier, skewering Netanyahu sycophants in the Likud Party, anti-élitist demagogues, cultic settlers, and rabbinic mandarins.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of demagogue
Noun
  • Russia, along with China, is a major supporter and arms supplier to Myanmar.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • It was drafted with tenant input and by a diverse coalition of community supporters.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of supporter
Noun
  • Terrell, who is gay and doubles as a night-club promoter, brings in scores of drinkers to their perpetually sleepy pub, transforming it into Philadelphia’s trendiest gay bar.
    — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The concert promoter’s local portfolio leaves a gap in the market for acts that have graduated beyond the smaller venues but aren’t yet drawing arena-sized crowds, Schalk said.
    — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of promoter
Noun
  • Relations between the Taliban and Pakistan — initially their most important partner — are tense, as Islamabad accuses Kabul of supporting Pakistani insurgents.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026
  • An insurgent socialist wing, led by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has toppled several incumbent Democrats this midterm cycle.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 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

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“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firebrand. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of firebrand for Spanish Speakers

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