firebrand
noun
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The original firebrands were incendiary indeed; they were pieces of wood set burning at the fire, perhaps for use as a light or a weapon. English speakers started brandishing those literal firebrands as long ago as the 13th century. (Robinson Crusoe held one high as he rushed into a cave on his deserted island and saw by the light of the firebrand . . . lying on the ground a monstrous, frightful old he-goat.) But the burning embers of the wooden firebrand quickly sparked figurative uses for the term, too. By the early 14th century, firebrand was also being used for one doomed to burn in hell, and by 1382, English writers were using it for anyone who kindled mischief or inflamed passions.
Examples of firebrand in a Sentence
Matthew Mpoke Bigg, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Buchanan wore his Nixon loyalty as a badge of honor throughout his career as a conservative firebrand.
— Made By History, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
Candace Owens On Theo Von's popular podcast, This Past Weekend, conservative firebrand Candace Owens also weighed in, unchecked, on the Epstein conspiracies—this time bringing Israel and U.S. media control into the mix.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
That made way for highly partisan talk radio from the likes of conservative firebrand Rush Limbaugh, whose show went national the next year.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Cite this Entry
“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firebrand. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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firebrand
noun
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