firebrand

American  

[fahyuhr-brand] / ˈfaɪərˌbrænd /

noun

1. a piece of burning wood or other material.

2. a person who kindles strife or encourages unrest; an agitator; troublemaker.

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firebrand British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌbrænd /

noun

1. a piece of burning or glowing wood or other material

2. a person who causes unrest or is very energetic

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Etymology

Origin of firebrand

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; fire, brand

Explanation

When someone is known for being wildly devoted to a cause or idea, they're called a firebrand. A firebrand enjoys pushing buttons and stirring up passions. Firebrand isn't such a tough word to remember if you think of that person's "brand" being "fiery." Someone who enjoys heating up the debate around a subject or lighting a fire under other people is a firebrand. "Fire" is their "brand." Firebrands come in all shapes and sizes: conservative, liberal, militant, creative. Anyone who takes a strong, provocative stance and challenges people with heated rhetoric might be labeled a firebrand. All it takes is guts and a willingness to stir things up.

Example Sentences

Even Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker, hardly a left-wing firebrand, quipped that the address was so full of fictions he was beginning to doubt whether the USA men’s hockey team actually won gold.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

They can claim the mantle of the firebrand, which is forever out of reach for an institutional figure like Newsom.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

In a move that foreshadowed Fern’s future as a feminist firebrand of her time, she contracted a lawyer and found a room for her daughters and herself in the Marlboro Hotel in Boston.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

Relatively unknown outside his own country at the time, Lee had a reputation as a firebrand who was sympathetic to socialist economic causes.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

He’s very smart and very willing to help the cause, but not really firebrand material.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins