torch 1 of 2

as in igniter
a person who deliberately and unlawfully sets fire to a building or other property several suspicious fires in the past few months have probably been set by the same torch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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torch

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of torch
Noun
But One Day in October holds up Taasa’s grief like a blinding torch, so bright and overwhelming that the thousands of grieving parents who live mere miles from her have been obscured. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025 In due time, torch and pitchfork crowd, in due time. Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Tom might not have his perfect work perfectly cut out for him, because when Paul and Prue come to taste his strawberry rhubarb tarts, the meringue isn’t torched enough and sticks to Paul’s knife. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025 Edman absolutely torched the New York Mets last October en route to winning NLCS MVP honors. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for torch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torch
Noun
  • The ignitor came in the form of fellow defenseman Jake Middleton delivering a bone-crunching hit – legally – to Stars forward Matt Duchene in the neutral zone.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Turns out the oven has a weak igniter that can be replaced for $300.
    R29 Team, Refinery29, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Cobalt, which can cause a burning sensation when handled, was one of the most common of these and is named for the kobold.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The home features two wood-burning fireplaces, a mudroom and a recreational room, according to the listing.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There probably was no such an arsonist.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
  • An arson fire destroys the 43-year-old Globe Theatre on March 8 (the arsonist was never caught, but a firebug had set several blazes in the park that winter).
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Content creators and designers alike are using it as the base for side tables, desks, shelving, storage, and even lighting.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The scheme came to light thanks to monitoring services that track bets and look for unusual patterns.
    NPR, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An arson fire destroys the 43-year-old Globe Theatre on March 8 (the arsonist was never caught, but a firebug had set several blazes in the park that winter).
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In video released by police, the firebug could be seen setting fire to a small pile of trash next to the head of a sleeping passenger stretched out on the seat.
    Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Just as the transistor ignited the digital revolution, fast, inexpensive, and scalable genome design and synthesis will ignite a biological one.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
  • While a note of caution echoed throughout the industry, exhibitors rose to the moment—showcasing innovative solutions that drive sustainability and efficiency, inspiring collections that ignite creativity, and breakthrough ingredients that enhance fabric performance.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Dominik Szoboszlai, who was asked to play deeper alongside Jones, capped a sensational display by firing home their fifth goal from 20 yards out after Cody Gakpo had netted for the third successive game.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The 23-year-old came into the league as the consensus top pick in last year’s draft but struggled as a rookie, in a season which saw the Bears fire their head coach Matt Eberflus following a disastrous Thanksgiving Day loss.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There's a lot of kindling around, and there's a lot of like newspapers that can catch on fire.
    Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Still, the hearing last year that reduced his sentence kindled some optimism.
    Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torch. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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