as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a firebrand who urged crowds to riot during the blackouts
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Recent Examples of firebrand
Many commentators viewed Gaetz as a firebrand who was temperamentally unsuited for that position.
—
Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Last year, Dusty Deevers, a right-wing firebrand known for trying to ban no-fault divorce, introduced legislation that would allow government employees to be paid in bitcoin.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
French former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, who gave France its 35-hour work week and then withdrew from politics after leading France’s Socialist Party to an earth-shaking presidential election defeat against far-right firebrand Jean-Marie Le Pen, has died.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
An angry deity hurled a firebrand at the swallow, singeing away its middle tail feathers.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Last year, Dusty Deevers, a right-wing firebrand known for trying to ban no-fault divorce, introduced legislation that would allow government employees to be paid in bitcoin.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
French former Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, who gave France its 35-hour work week and then withdrew from politics after leading France’s Socialist Party to an earth-shaking presidential election defeat against far-right firebrand Jean-Marie Le Pen, has died.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
An angry deity hurled a firebrand at the swallow, singeing away its middle tail feathers.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firebrand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firebrand
Noun
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Its leaders have been working to rebuild relations with Arab and Western countries that had shunned Syria under former President Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 by rebels, who then installed a new government.—
Abby Sewell,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
As the years tick by, the lips become a bit of a rebel.—
Micaela English,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The following day at Haymarket Square in Chicago, an unknown agitator threw a bomb at police, killing one officer instantly and leading to a violent battle that killed several more law enforcement officers and protesters.—
Preston Mizell,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Birdbaths that have small fountains or agitators also keep the water rippling.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the same time, many national security proponents and experts in the intelligence community argue that such restrictions would impede law enforcement efforts and pose severe national security risks.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
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Last Tuesday, the California Secretary of State reported that proponents, led by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, had turned in more than enough valid signatures to county registrars, ensuring that voters will be given an opportunity to restore the original intent of Proposition 13.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Does the rise of right-wing demagogues offer chilling parallels to the Pinochet era?—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Leftist demagogues specialize in lose-lose-lose policies.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The complaints were both filed about a month apart by Jeremy Fetzer, a political consultant who also runs the political action committee Osceola Action Committee and is a supporter of Mayor Jackie Espinosa, who is herself facing ethics charges.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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The zoo, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this week, has announced plans to build a new medical center that will feature a viewing gallery for visitors, thanks to a donation of £20 million ($27 million) from a long-term supporter who is not being identified.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While living in Dubai, Kinahan presented himself as a legitimate boxing promoter.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
King is a prominent boxing promoter who has worked with some of the most successful boxers over the course of his 50-year career.—
PEOPLE,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Kidal's capture in a similar militant-insurgent alliance over a decade ago was at the root of the security crisis that has shaken Mali.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Mali has faced years of escalating insurgent violence; the ruling military junta, which pledged to restore stability in a 2020 coup, turned to Russia for assistance in its counterinsurgency campaign.—
Lauren Morganbesser,
semafor.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The internet’s onetime lovably messy provocateur has indeed turned over a new leaf, personally and professionally, and entered her Brand Safe era.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
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Alliances with independents and provocateurs can bring younger crowds to the traditional news fold in an era when such viewership is not guaranteed.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firebrand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firebrand. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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