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

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

2

a

: a sudden or violent outburst

a firestorm of public protest

b

: a raging controversy

a political firestorm

Synonyms

• contestation
• controversy
• debate
• difference
• difficulty
• disagreement
• disputation
• dispute
• dissension
• dissention
• dissensus
• nonconcurrence

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

By Chad de Guzman September 18, 2024 4:30 AM EDT A firestorm of allegations have, for months, swirled around multimillionaire YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, as well as the people and companies linked to him. —Chad De Guzman, TIME, 18 Sep. 2024

The incident drew a firestorm of criticism and questions, including how Crooks managed to get within about 150 yards of Trump despite Secret Service protection. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 17 Sep. 2024

There have been a number of instances in recent years of major brands and companies finding themselves in the middle of a cultural or political firestorm. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2024

Before Trump ignited a firestorm at the NABJ convention, which wraps up on Sunday, members were divided over whether the former president should have even been invited. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1