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.
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Recent Examples of arson
In the weeks since the arson attack, Beth Israel has been supported by neighbors and people of different backgrounds and beliefs who have stood together with compassion and resolve.
—
Lindsay Baach Friedmann, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
He was flown back to Queens and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, arson, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, criminal mischief, tampering with evidence and reckless driving, police said.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
All were caused by human activity, whether through arson or negligence.
—Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The deadly fire that killed two Hollywood women last week has been determined to be an arson, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arson
Lindsay Baach Friedmann, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
He was flown back to Queens and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, arson, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, criminal mischief, tampering with evidence and reckless driving, police said.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
All were caused by human activity, whether through arson or negligence.
—Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The deadly fire that killed two Hollywood women last week has been determined to be an arson, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
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Carvalho discussed the event’s main goal, to mark a year since the beginning of recovery from the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires in January of 2025.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
While a celebratory mood spreads across the country, survivors of a deadly fire in Hong Kong are still grieving with little to celebrate, like this man who lost his wife in the blaze.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, the Palisades fire burned 23,448 acres and destroyed much of the exclusive Pacific Palisades community, destroying about 6,800 structures and killing 12 people.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Under state law, if a utility is determined to have acted reasonably it can be reimbursed for all or most of the damages of the fire by a state wildfire fund.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While a celebratory mood spreads across the country, survivors of a deadly fire in Hong Kong are still grieving with little to celebrate, like this man who lost his wife in the blaze.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Fire crews from Escondido, San Diego and Cal Fire responded and put out the blaze, which charred around 2 acres.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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