firestorm

noun

ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌstȯrm How to pronounce firestorm (audio)
Definition of firestormnext
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter a seemingly endless firestorm was ignited by that U.S. Supreme Court decision

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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 firestorm Over the weekend, CBS News chief legal correspondent Jan Crawford set off a media firestorm for her network. — Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 This was the firestorm called the Saturday Night Massacre, a crucial event that helped lead to Nixon’s resignation, on August 9, 1974. — Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 The incident set off a firestorm of concerns over the capabilities of AI, and whether firms have control over their models. — Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026 Her statement started a firestorm, one that’s only grown in the following months. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for firestorm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firestorm
  1. controversy
  2. debate
  3. dispute
  4. disputation
  5. disagreement
Noun
  • The Republican nominee defended the political ad until it was pulled by the campaign, while Acton used the controversy to her advantage.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Although the film is not true to some parts of the book, which caused some controversy among staunch King fans, Kubrick does bring to life the terrors King so aptly wrote about, including domestic abuse, isolation, helplessness, and alcoholism.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • Essential California asked the bishop about his letter and the church’s role in the immigration debate while checking in with a couple of Catholic scholars who offered their perspectives.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • This seems like a perfectly reasonable debate/dialogue/deliberation to have without everybody--well, most bodies--running for the exits.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of debate
Noun
  • Heemeyer owned a muffler shop in the town and had been engaged in a long-running series of property and zoning disputes with local authorities.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Having been through the NBA and NFL lockouts of 2011 and other labor disputes, McKenzie recalled just how much of a rush there can be on supplementing income if paychecks don’t resume.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • This contestation takes place through philosophical debates, religious disputations, and public discussions, whether direct or indirect, open or clandestine.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • This did not, however, mark the end of disputation concerning the Northwest Angle.
    — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of disputation
Noun
  • However, there is disagreement about the cost and scope of the major renovation, and union representatives want a say in how it is handled.
    — Devorah Lauter for ARTNews, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026
  • But the process created to settle payment disagreements between providers and insurers now needs repair.
    — Christian Swann, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of disagreement

Browse Nearby Words

firesides
firestorm
firestorms
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Cite this Entry

“Firestorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firestorm. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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