firebrand
Americannoun
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a piece of burning wood or other material.
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a person who kindles strife or encourages unrest; an agitator; troublemaker.
noun
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a piece of burning or glowing wood or other material
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a person who causes unrest or is very energetic
Etymology
Origin of firebrand
Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at 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.
Vocabulary lists containing firebrand
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Back then, banks viewing her as a firebrand radical helped block her from running the new agency.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
She isn’t exactly a firebrand, but she is very much available; willing to take on all comers, vociferously, at seemingly any hour of the day.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
Last year, Cerimedo was a key player in the election of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, the center-right, U.S.-educated son of a former president who transitioned from Marxist firebrand to moderate.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
So why did it unravel for the Dutch head coach who many Liverpool fans initially regarded as the calm, transitional Bob Paisley figure to predecessor Klopp's firebrand, charismatic Bill Shankly?
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
The two complaints were not helping the old firebrand Malcolm X image any, nor were they generating the local public interest that was badly needed by his small, young OAAU.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
