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
Choi did not say whether arson was a possibility.
—
Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2026
Nietz has two prior convictions for arson, including a conviction in the fifth degree from March 20, 2023.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Last October, federal prosecutors charged Jonathan Rinderknecht with arson for allegedly starting a fire that later developed into the destructive Palisades Fire in California.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Incidents, many caught on video, include shootings, beatings, arson, land destruction, livestock theft and intimidation.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arson
Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2026
Nietz has two prior convictions for arson, including a conviction in the fifth degree from March 20, 2023.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Last October, federal prosecutors charged Jonathan Rinderknecht with arson for allegedly starting a fire that later developed into the destructive Palisades Fire in California.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Incidents, many caught on video, include shootings, beatings, arson, land destruction, livestock theft and intimidation.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
-
In the wrong hands, connections like that can lead to cronyism and profiteering — and there were times when Gray’s relationships came under fire.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The cause of the plane’s malfunctions is, duh, random sparks from annoying Dan’s charger starting a fire in cargo.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The state counterpart to the National Institutes of Health would fund grants and programs for research in biomedicine, climate, wildfire, and infectious disease, among other areas.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
In places such as Los Angeles County, wildfire risks have led to restrictions on installing flammable lithium-ion systems.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Wildfires in Georgia and Florida continue to burn thousands of acres more than a week after the blazes began.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Crews in west Miami-Dade are continuing to monitor a large brush fire that broke out on Monday night as the blaze continues to grow in size.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
