accelerant
noun
ac·cel·er·ant
ik-ˈse-lə-rənt 
ak-
: a substance used to accelerate a process (such as the spreading of a fire)
Examples of accelerant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He was charged with arson after investigators found signs that an accelerant had been used in the blaze.
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Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
If and when development picks up, Betancur argues the OPC will have the same effect that The 606 had on Logan Square and Humboldt Park — an accelerant for gentrification already underway in Bronzeville and near the University of Chicago.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea said during a press conference shortly after the incident that responding agencies apparently scared off the suspect before the accelerant was ignited.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
In that instance, police found gasoline cans and accelerant, saying the suspect(s) intended to light the building on fire.
—Statesman Staff, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026
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Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
If and when development picks up, Betancur argues the OPC will have the same effect that The 606 had on Logan Square and Humboldt Park — an accelerant for gentrification already underway in Bronzeville and near the University of Chicago.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea said during a press conference shortly after the incident that responding agencies apparently scared off the suspect before the accelerant was ignited.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
In that instance, police found gasoline cans and accelerant, saying the suspect(s) intended to light the building on fire.
—Statesman Staff, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for accelerant
Cite this Entry
“Accelerant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accelerant. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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