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
As covert wars collide across Tehran and the rainforests of Africa, every move risks igniting a global firestorm.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Her comments ignited a social media firestorm.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 May 2026
The contamination is a result of the unprecedented nature of this urban firestorm, in which thousands of houses and cars became the blaze’s fuel, releasing heavy metals into the smoke.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026
But a series of scandals in recent weeks have set off a political firestorm in Mexico.
—Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
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Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Her comments ignited a social media firestorm.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 May 2026
The contamination is a result of the unprecedented nature of this urban firestorm, in which thousands of houses and cars became the blaze’s fuel, releasing heavy metals into the smoke.
—Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026
But a series of scandals in recent weeks have set off a political firestorm in Mexico.
—Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for firestorm
Cite this Entry
“Firestorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firestorm. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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