firestorm
noun
fire·storm
ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌstȯrm 
1
: a very intense and destructive fire usually accompanied by high winds
The Rooses' house and gardens were obliterated in the 1991 Oakland firestorm.—
Craig Summers Black
Craig Summers Black
especially
: one that is started by attack with nuclear or incendiary weapons and that creates a powerful updraft which causes very strong inrushing winds to develop in the surrounding area
His goal was to create firestorms like the ones that had consumed Hamburg and Dresden, conflagrations so vast and intense that nothing could survive them … —David M. Kennedy
David M. Kennedy 2
a
: a sudden or violent outburst
a firestorm of public protest
b
: a raging controversy
a political firestorm
Examples of firestorm in a Sentence
The bombing left the city engulfed in a firestorm.
His proposal set off a political firestorm.
a firestorm of public protest
Recent Examples on the Web
However, one of the things that has bothered me most about this issue is that transgender athletes who just want a place to play and the entire transgender population — the vast majority of whom don’t participate in organized athletics — have been dragged into this polarizing political firestorm.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025
The call comes amid a political firestorm surrounding their public feud, which has escalated throughout the week and sparked concerns among Republicans about the fallout on Trump's economic agenda.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Nearly five months after a firestorm laid waste to a wide swath of Pacific Palisades, Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday that the global infrastructure firm AECOM will help develop a master plan for rebuilding the area, as well as a plan for reconstructing utilities and other infrastructure.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
From the center of a political firestorm, the brash rap trio from the north of Ireland donned tricolor balaclavas and got the crowd on their side at London’s Wide Awake festival.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2025
The call comes amid a political firestorm surrounding their public feud, which has escalated throughout the week and sparked concerns among Republicans about the fallout on Trump's economic agenda.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Nearly five months after a firestorm laid waste to a wide swath of Pacific Palisades, Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday that the global infrastructure firm AECOM will help develop a master plan for rebuilding the area, as well as a plan for reconstructing utilities and other infrastructure.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
From the center of a political firestorm, the brash rap trio from the north of Ireland donned tricolor balaclavas and got the crowd on their side at London’s Wide Awake festival.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
Cite this Entry
“Firestorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firestorm. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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