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
President Trump facing a political firestorm over the Jeffrey Epstein files, dividing his base and putting the president on the defensive.
—ABC News, 20 July 2025
The memo also said there's no evidence that Epstein was murdered while in custody.
Bondi's announcement set off a firestorm in some parts of Trump's base.
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 17 July 2025
This sparked a firestorm among many Trump’s supporters that has yet to abate, especially since the president himself fanned the flames by denouncing them.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025
But the six-month anniversary of the worst firestorm in Los Angeles County history still feels hard to measure.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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.
ABC News, 20 July 2025
The memo also said there's no evidence that Epstein was murdered while in custody.
Bondi's announcement set off a firestorm in some parts of Trump's base.
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 17 July 2025
This sparked a firestorm among many Trump’s supporters that has yet to abate, especially since the president himself fanned the flames by denouncing them.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025
But the six-month anniversary of the worst firestorm in Los Angeles County history still feels hard to measure.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share