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Definition of firestorm

firestorm

/ˈfaɪərˌstɔːrm/
fire · storm
Plural:firestorms
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firestorm Lexical Profile

firestorm Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An intensely violent, self-sustaining fire that creates and is fed by its own gale-force inrushing winds.

Example

"Prolonged drought and strong winds combined to turn the forest blaze into a devastating firestorm."

2

A sudden, fierce, and widespread outburst of criticism, controversy, or strong emotion.

Example

"The executive's controversial remarks ignited a media firestorm that lasted for weeks."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

firescreen
fireside
firestarter
firestorm
firethorn
firetower
firetrap

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century, originally as a loan translation of the German compound 'Feuersturm', used to describe the self-sustaining conflagrations caused by heavy aerial bombing during World War II.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Firestorm. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/firestorm
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