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
Since launching her Senate run in December, the progressive firebrand has distinguished herself with an unconventional campaign, eschewing traditional advice regarding key tenets of campaigning, such as fundraising and advertising output.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
The political firebrand’s career, spanning 46 years in City Hall, came to an end last month when newcomer Rolando Escalona won the District 3 seat that Carollo and his younger brother Frank had occupied since 2009.
—Tess Riski
january 30, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
In the 1980s, right-wing firebrands such as Jerry Falwell and Anita Bryant claimed that the AIDS epidemic was a plague sent by God to punish gay people.
—Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
While Collier and Stewart have accepted the duty to be labor firebrands, one of their UConn teammates, Morgan Tuck, is making her mark on the management side, as the youngest GM in the WNBA.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
The political firebrand’s career, spanning 46 years in City Hall, came to an end last month when newcomer Rolando Escalona won the District 3 seat that Carollo and his younger brother Frank had occupied since 2009.
—Tess Riski
january 30, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
In the 1980s, right-wing firebrands such as Jerry Falwell and Anita Bryant claimed that the AIDS epidemic was a plague sent by God to punish gay people.
—Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
While Collier and Stewart have accepted the duty to be labor firebrands, one of their UConn teammates, Morgan Tuck, is making her mark on the management side, as the youngest GM in the WNBA.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firebrand
Noun
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Lucas’s focus on getting paid brings him in for the book’s harshest criticism; Fischer casts him as a rebel turned sellout.—
Michael O’Donnell,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
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On the other hand, Bennu is the rebel — its glycine likely originated in frozen ice exposed to harsh radiation in the outer reaches of the solar system.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Ideally, use a front-loading washer or a top-load washer without a center agitator so the pillows have more room to move in the washer.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
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His record as an effective agitator for Black advancement positioned him as a go-to adviser for Chicago politicians who sought his endorsement.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Despite his history with direct-to-streaming releases, Timothée Chalamet is a proponent of the moviegoing experience.—
Christi Carras,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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Both Nakamura and Carlsen are proponents of faster formats and are signed to esports teams.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After failing as an entrepreneur in America, and after an interlude in Asia in an attempt (also failed) to build a railroad on the Vietnam-China border, Morès returned to France to pursue a political career as a populist leader and an antisemitic demagogue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
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This Jesse Jackson was a dangerous man, a radical, a demagogue, someone who thrived off fomenting racial division.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Macron has been an ardent supporter of social media restrictions, including limiting the age of users who could access social media platforms to children older than 15.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Feb. 2026
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But Gu also has her fair share of supporters – who have also become more vocal this year, with many defending her choices.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The conference will cover a number of topics relevant to musical artists, venue operators, and festival and event promoters.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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October highlights The LA Phil is dark at the Bowl in October, but the outside promoters have a few more offerings before evenings get too chilly for nights beneath the Hollywood stars.—
Peter Larsen,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the northeast, insurgent groups exploit institutional weaknesses and economic vulnerability.—
Yusuf Tuggar,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Bass, politically bruised over her handling of last year’s devastating Palisades fire, now faces an insurgent campaign from one of the City Council’s savviest players.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Yet Anti Fund faces pressure to overcome Paul’s provocateur image.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
14 Feb. 2026
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Last month, the right-wing provocateur appeared on Megyn Kelly’s show to discuss his new video series, Real History With Matt Walsh.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firebrand. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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