firebrand

Noun

firebrand (plural firebrands)

1. A torch or other burning stick with a flame at one end.
   • The crowd cheered as a firebrand was tossed onto the huge pile of wood to start the traditional homecoming bonfire.
   • […] he filled all their throats with it, so that those poor wretches were by it made to cough like foxes, crying, Ha, Pantagruel, how how thou addest greater heat to the firebrand that is in us.1807, François Rabelais, Mr. Ozell (John), Sir Thomas Urquhart, The Works of Francis Rabelais - Volume 2 - Page 182
2. (figuratively) An argumentative troublemaker or revolutionary; one who agitates against the status quo.
   • The member of the college's Communist League was a firebrand who would launch a sit-in or protest march at a moment's notice.
   • At the same time, Mr. Irons said, it is important to separate “this very valiant and completely kosher and clean repository of public material, which we perfectly endorse, and this kind of firebrand ‘We want to show the publishers they’re wrong’ kind of attitude.”2011 February 22, Daniel J. Wakin, “Free Trove of Music Scores on Web Hits Sensitive Copyright Note”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 05 Aug 2020

   Synonyms:

   radical, revolutionary, troublemaker