firestorm
Wind-generating mass blaze
A firestorm is a massive, intense fire that generates its own wind system, creating a self-sustaining vortex that draws in surrounding air.
The term applies literally to conflagrations in forests or bombed cities, but more often appears figuratively: a firestorm of criticism, a firestorm of controversy.
In this sense, it describes an intense, rapidly spreading public reaction: The CEO's remarks sparked a firestorm on social media.
Large destructive blaze
- infernoDevastating, uncontrollable blaze
- brushfireUncontrolled fire in vegetation
- blazeIntense burning fire
- flamesVisible burning combustion
burning · ember · ash · evacuation · containment · fireline · firebreak · backburn
Severe widespread destruction
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
obliteration · aftermath · apocalyptic · ravage · cataclysm · desolation · carnage · disaster
Sustained projectile assault
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
- DresdenSaxon capital city
Tokyo · Hamburg · air raid · carpet bombing · napalm · civilian · devastation · strategic bombing
conflagration
Large destructive blaze
- infernoDevastating, uncontrollable blaze
- brushfireUncontrolled fire in vegetation
- blazeIntense burning fire
flames · burning · ember · ash · evacuation · containment · fireline · firebreak · backburn · smokejumper
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
wreckage · obliteration · aftermath · apocalyptic · ravage · cataclysm · desolation · carnage · disaster · chaos
bombardment
Sustained projectile assault
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
Dresden · Tokyo · Hamburg · air raid · carpet bombing · napalm · civilian · devastation · strategic bombing · World War II
backlash
Strong negative reaction
outrage · furor · media · criticism · viral · social media · public relations · fallout · political · Twitter
intensity
Strength or force level
fury · burning · heat · consuming · overwhelming · explosive · tempestuous · volatile · desire · emotion
- extreme stormssuperstorm, megastorm, hypercane, volcanic lightning
- fireflame, blaze, flames, inferno, embers
- weather phenomenawind, hurricane, gust, blizzard, breeze
- backlashbacklash, blowback, outcry, outrage, pushback
- fire idiomsfan the flames, spread like wildfire, go up in flames, go up in smoke, up in smoke
- heat and fireignite, burn, flame, blaze, combust
firestormember
Glowing coal fragment
spark · campfire · candle flame · flicker · controlled burn