as in fire
the illegal burning of a building or other property; the crime of setting fire to something
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but investigators suspect arson. The town has suffered a rash of arson attacks.
Related Words
Relevance
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 arson
Federal prosecutors have charged him with arson of property receiving federal financial assistance, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Suspitions point to arson as the cause of the fire.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
New Zealand is starting to experience a string of attacks on cellphone towers, the latest involving an apparent arson.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
An arson conviction won’t change those complaints, a lawyer representing residents in that case told reporters yesterday.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arson
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Suspitions point to arson as the cause of the fire.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
New Zealand is starting to experience a string of attacks on cellphone towers, the latest involving an apparent arson.
—PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
An arson conviction won’t change those complaints, a lawyer representing residents in that case told reporters yesterday.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
-
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has come under fire in recent weeks as the Cowboys continue to hemorrhage points.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Here’s everything our editors are already stocking up on for our upcoming Thanksgiving dinners and indulgent evenings spent reading by the fire.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hydrophobic soil is particularly problematic after a wildfire when soil particles become coated with waxy substances as organic matter decomposes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The page also warns of wildfires during prolonged droughts or extreme heatwaves.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Later, when Doyle comes into some mysterious bags of cash, and heads toward the mainland with a bottle of booze, a boat, and one last chance to go out in a blaze of self-immolation, Farrell manages to mix dread and adrenaline into every silent expression.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Social media users posted videos showing the blaze, a huge column of fire and thick black smoke rising above the facility which could be seen from other parts of the city.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share