firestorm

firestorm — noun

1. an extremely large, powerful fire that creates its own strong winds while burnin

1.名詞C1
釋義

an extremely large, powerful fire that creates its own strong winds while burning and spreads with such speed and force that it becomes nearly impossible to stop

例句

The bombing created a firestorm that burned for three days across the city.

collocation: create a firestorm

Firefighters could do little as the firestorm consumed entire neighborhoods.

firestorm + consume + location

同義詞
  • inferno

    emphasizes intense heat and destruction, less specific about wind dynamics

  • conflagration

    more formal and technical, focuses on a large destructive fire without the wind aspect

  • blaze

    more general term for a large fire; less extreme than firestorm

文法句型

a/the firestorm + verb (swept through / consumed / raged)

用法筆記

Often used in historical accounts of wartime bombing (e.g., Dresden, Hamburg, Tokyo) or reports of large-scale wildfires. The term emphasizes both the size of the fire and the self-sustaining wind system it produces.

常見錯誤

❌The campfire was a firestorm.
✅The campfire grew into a firestorm after strong winds spread the flames.
💡A firestorm is an enormous, uncontrollable fire, not any fire.

2. a sudden and intense wave of public anger, criticism, or disagreement that sprea

2.名詞B2
釋義

a sudden and intense wave of public anger, criticism, or disagreement that spreads very quickly through a community, organization, or society, often fueled by media coverage

例句

The CEO's comment sparked a firestorm of criticism on social media.

spark a firestorm of [criticism]

When the report was published, it ignited a political firestorm that lasted for weeks.

ignite a political firestorm

同義詞
  • backlash

    emphasizes resistance or negative reaction to a prior action, often implying a reversal of support

  • outcry

    stresses loud public expressions of anger or protest, often with calls for change

  • uproar

    suggests noisy confusion mixed with anger, often in a public forum

反義詞
  • calm

    absence of public reaction or disagreement

  • consensus

    general agreement, the opposite of heated disagreement

文法句型

a firestorm of [criticism / protest / controversy / anger]

spark / ignite / create a firestorm

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'of' + a noun indicating the type of reaction (criticism, protest, controversy, anger, outrage). Very common in news and political reporting.

常見錯誤

❌He caused a firestorm by arriving late to the party.
✅The politician's racist remark caused a firestorm of outrage across the country.
💡A firestorm is a strong negative public reaction on a significant issue, not any minor disruption.