Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
fire-and-brimstone
Idiomatic expression
/ˈfaɪər ənd ˈbrɪmˌstoʊn/
Definition
A term used to describe a style of preaching or rhetoric that emphasizes the consequences of sin and the threats of divine punishment, often invoking vivid imagery of hell.
Examples
- The preacher’s fire-and-brimstone sermon left the congregation feeling both fearful and motivated to change their ways.
- He delivered a fire-and-brimstone speech about the dangers of immorality, instilling a sense of dread about the consequences of one’s actions.
Meaning
The phrase typically conveys a sense of warning and urgency regarding moral behavior, often used in religious contexts.
Synonyms
- Hellfire and damnation
- Judgmental rhetoric
- Impassioned preaching
