fire-and-brimstone

[fahyuhr-uhn-brim-stohn]

adjective

1. threatening punishment in the hereafter.

   a fire-and-brimstone sermon.

fire-and-brimstone

adjective

1. (of a sermon, preacher, etc) zealous, esp in threatening eternal damnation

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire-and-brimstone¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

A fire-and-brimstone Pentecostal preacher, Swaggart bragged he had more followers than Oral Roberts or Jim Bakker, lived a luxuriant life on a 100-acre compound in Baton Rouge, La., and whooshed off to evangelistic crusades in a private jet with a fleet of 18-wheelers, loaded with musical instruments and television equipment, rumbling down the highway below.

From Los Angeles Times

From that point on, Dr Lee says, Lee dialled back on the controversial, fire-and-brimstone approach for which he had become notorious – opting instead to play it safe and keep a low profile.

From BBC

Butker made headlines last summer for delivering a fire-and-brimstone commencement address at Benedictine College that many labeled misogynistic, antisemitic and homophobic.

From Salon

One speaker, while displaying an image of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, screamed, with true fire-and-brimstone energy, “I prophesy they’re going to jail!”

From Slate

Emerson’s sermons are not all fire-and-brimstone.

From Seattle Times