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
Anderson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse and arson of property other than a building in connection to Robinson’s death.
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David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2024
Western security officials suspect that Russian intelligence is carrying out sabotage against their nations in retaliation for their support for Ukraine — including arson attacks, disinformation and by putting incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes.
—Siarhei Satsiuk, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Nearly 500 ballots destroyed before election The Oct. 28 ballot box arsons in both Portland and Vancouver resembled a similar incident on Oct. 8, before ballots were being mailed to Oregon residents.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024
Aliya Fakhri was indicted by a grand jury for four counts of murder in the first degree, four counts of murder in the second degree and one count each of arson in the first degree and arson in the second degree.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for arson 
David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2024
Western security officials suspect that Russian intelligence is carrying out sabotage against their nations in retaliation for their support for Ukraine — including arson attacks, disinformation and by putting incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes.
—Siarhei Satsiuk, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Nearly 500 ballots destroyed before election The Oct. 28 ballot box arsons in both Portland and Vancouver resembled a similar incident on Oct. 8, before ballots were being mailed to Oregon residents.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024
Aliya Fakhri was indicted by a grand jury for four counts of murder in the first degree, four counts of murder in the second degree and one count each of arson in the first degree and arson in the second degree.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
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Thanks to dry and windy conditions, the fires are continuing to spread.Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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For the week of January 6-12, which is when the fires began, FilmLA logged 132 shoot days for the period.Brian Welk, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Nearly 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate because of the ongoing wildfires.Denise Chow, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
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Advertisement In a separate statement released Thursday, the FAA warned against flying drones near the wildfires.Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While the potent winds driving the fires to rapidly escalate were expected to die down by Thursday night, the initial causes of all the blazes remain under investigation.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
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The blaze is fueled by dangerously high-speed Santa Ana winds, expected to peak between 10 p.m. Tuesday night through 5 a.m. Wednesday, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley.Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near arson
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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