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
The video in question inquired as to why the press were ignoring a Muslim victim who was targeted in the Golders Green arson attack in March.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
24 June 2026
This isn't the only arson attack on a subway passenger in recent months.
—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
Rinderknecht has been charged with one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and one count of timber set afire.
—
Jack Hannah,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Two Ukrainian men have been found guilty of plotting arson attacks last year on property relating to Keir Starmer.
—
Elliott Goat,
TheWeek,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for arson
News Desk,
Artforum,
24 June 2026
This isn't the only arson attack on a subway passenger in recent months.
—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
Rinderknecht has been charged with one count of destruction of property by means of fire, one count of arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and one count of timber set afire.
—
Jack Hannah,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Two Ukrainian men have been found guilty of plotting arson attacks last year on property relating to Keir Starmer.
—
Elliott Goat,
TheWeek,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
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The man was linked to three fires and arrested on suspicion of arson, according to the sheriff’s office.
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The fire spread rapidly, and police said additional fire departments and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to assist.
Noun
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Among the findings cited in the motion, cellphone data showed Hobby was not near the fire's ignition point in the 24-to-48 hours leading up to the wildfire being reported, the time in which investigators believe the fire first started.
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Since her passing, Sonoma County experienced the most destructive wildfires in California history in 2017, only for another, more destructive fire to surpass it a year later.
Noun
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Tyler Russell, 24, was arrested Monday and charged with six counts of second-degree manslaughter and one count of arson in connection with the blaze at the Knights Inn in Endwell, according to New York State Police.
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Firefighters, meanwhile, quickly contained the blaze to a 10-by-10-foot area.
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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