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firebrand Definition

fireĀ·brand (-brand′)

noun

  1. a piece of burning wood
  2. a person who stirs up others to rebellion or strife

firebrand Synonyms

firebrand

n.

  1. A burning stick

    torch, brand, burning ember, spill; see embers.

  2. An inflammatory person

    incendiary, mischiefmaker, rabble-rouser; see agitator.

firebrand Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: Fire caused havoc in a besieged castle or city and a variety of fire missiles, including firebrands and deadly Greek Fire were thrown.
  • turn: He was of a rare breed - an academically minded young man, turned firebrand.

Adjective modifier

  • political: Nina hails from East Berlin and has enjoyed a rich and varied career as a recording artist, actress, chanteuse and political firebrand.
  • young: The park is in the hands of the Greater London Council, whose leader is a young firebrand called Ken Livingstone.
  • left-wing: Which is where the former left-wing firebrand Roland Muldoon comes into the story.
  • former: Which is where the former left-wing firebrand Roland Muldoon comes into the story.
  • little: I had her last week - right little firebrand she was.
  • Marxist: He's the brother of Christopher, you know, the one-time Marxist firebrand turned Neo-Con.

Modifies a noun

  • MP: Some forty years ago, a left-wing backbench firebrand MP called Michael Foot used to rail against something he called Treasury financial orthodoxy.
  • politician: Here you have to think of the small breed of horse rather than the strange hybrid of firebrand politician and reality TV contestant.

Noun used with modifier

  • midfield: But he denied a falling-out between his midfield firebrands, saying: " They didn't have a set-to at half-time.
  • wing: It holds that she has given up all she used to hold as a left wing firebrand.

Browse dictionary entries near firebrand

  1. firebox
  2. firebomb
  3. fireboat
  4. firebird
  5. firebase
  6. fireballer
  7. fireball
  8. firearm
  9. fire warden
  10. fire wall
  1. firebrat
  2. firebreak
  3. firebrick
  4. firebug
  5. fireclay
  6. firecracker
  7. fired
  8. firedamp
  9. firedog
  10. firedrake