as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a firebrand who urged crowds to riot during the blackouts
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Recent Examples of firebrand
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
The 2026 midterms are already being shaken up by populist firebrands and antiestablishment outsiders.
—James Desio, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
Jeffress, a right-wing firebrand and Fox News contributor, preaches at the First Baptist Church in Dallas.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
The 2026 midterms are already being shaken up by populist firebrands and antiestablishment outsiders.
—James Desio, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
Jeffress, a right-wing firebrand and Fox News contributor, preaches at the First Baptist Church in Dallas.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firebrand
Noun
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Accompanying the violence, both the Naxals and the security forces – including local militia raised to combat the rebels – have been accused of horrific human rights abuses, including abductions, torture and rape.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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The rebels have reported two cases.—
Jean-Yves Kamale,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Goche said much of the anger toward ICE is fueled by misinformation and agitators.—
Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
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The bag will help protect the garment from friction, snagging, and other damage caused by other items in the wash, and add an extra layer between the machine’s drum and center agitator and the clothing.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2026
Noun
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But for longtime leaders of education organizations and tech proponents, the book has become a problem.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
31 May 2026
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Whatever proponents call these statutes, the national effect is the same.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Noun
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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
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But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.—
Alma Hernandez,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Several supporters said raising a Pride flag in town would help LGBTQ+ residents feel accepted.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
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Union supporters contend that the thousands of workers — despite different titles and job areas — face similar dis-empowerment in their day-to-day jobs.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Concert promoters, meanwhile, see it as filling an important gap in Southern California’s music venue market.—
Clay Marshall,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Quality Content Influencers aren’t merely promoters but content machines.—
Wyles Daniel
June 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
Noun
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In recent weeks, the race for Los Angeles mayor has been dominated by reality star Spencer Pratt, who, following an expectation-exceeding debate performance, has risen in the polls with an insurgent campaign specializing in producing or promoting brash and direct online videos.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
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Traders on prediction market platform Kalshi think the incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and insurgent former reality TV star Spencer Pratt are most likely to advance to the second round.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Some of it was sought-after — Levinson is a provocateur, and his courting of controversy has earned the series nine Emmy wins and far more nominations.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
31 May 2026
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The Human Is Staying In The Picture (Mostly) Screenwriter and director Paul Schrader, at nearly 80 years old an unlikely technology provocateur, delivered a talk at AI on the Lot peppered with pot-stirring takes.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firebrand. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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