If you describe someone as a firebrand, especially someone who is very active in politics, you mean that they are always trying to make people take strong action.
...his reputation as a young firebrand.
Synonyms: rabble-rouser, activist, incendiary, fomenter More Synonyms of firebrand
firebrand in British English
(ˈfaɪəˌbrænd)
noun
1.
a piece of burning or glowing wood or other material
2.
a person who causes unrest or is very energetic
firebrand in American English
(ˈfaɪrˌbrænd)
noun
1.
a piece of burning wood
2.
a person who stirs up others to rebellion or strife
Examples of 'firebrand' in a sentence
firebrand
Will he now transform himself into some kind of revolutionary firebrand?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If found guilty the firebrand cleric could face as much as life imprisonment.
The Sun (2009)
The angry young firebrand has mellowed with experience.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Those who predicted that he would prove a left-wing firebrand have been surprised by his pragmatism.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
No firebrand leaders, no soaring ideology.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Sources claim he encouraged his whole family to sign up for a ballot to help elect the left-wing firebrand.
The Sun (2015)
I was a young literary firebrand with a beard and I kept trying to put a block on their rhyming.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
(noun)
Definition
a person who arouses passionate political feelings, often causing trouble
his reputation as a young firebrand
Synonyms
rabble-rouser
a loud-mouthed rabble-rouser
activist
incendiary
fomenter
instigator
the key instigators of reform
agitator
a famous singer who was accused of being a political agitator
demagogue
He was dismissed as a radical demagogue.
tub-thumper
soapbox orator
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agitator
a famous singer who was accused of being a political agitator
Synonyms
troublemaker,
revolutionary,
inciter,
firebrand,
instigator,
demagogue,
rabble-rouser,
agent provocateur,
stirrer (informal)
in the sense of demagogue
Definition
a political agitator who attempts to win support by appealing to the prejudice and passions of the mob