firestorm

/ˈfaɪəstɔːm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfaɪərstɔːrm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌstȯrm/ (ame, mw)

firestorm — 名詞

  • firestormsingular
  • firestormsplural

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

1.名詞C1
釋義

火風暴

由大火引發強風的災難性烈火

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.

轟炸引發了一場火風暴，在城市中燃燒了整整三天。

collocation: create a firestorm

Firefighters could do little as the firestorm consumed entire neighborhoods.

消防員幾乎束手無策，眼睜睜看著火風暴吞噬整個社區。

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

怒火風暴

突然爆發的強烈批評或公憤

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.

執行長的那番話在社群媒體上引發了一場批評的怒火風暴。

spark a firestorm of [criticism]

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

報告公布後，引發了一場持續數週的政治怒火風暴。

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.