as in torches
a person who deliberately and unlawfully sets fire to a building or other property
they finally caught the arsonist, but only after he'd set fire to four barns
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Recent Examples of arsonists
Indeed, Knight says the Guinness family claims that the Guinness brewery feared attacks by Fenians and arsonists before Benjamin Guinness’s death.
—
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Days later, arsonists returned to burn what was left of Chinatown.
—Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Examples of attacks include everything from graffiti and destruction of statues to arsonists destroying entire churches and assailants attacking churchgoers with deadly weapons.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 30 Aug. 2025
Wildfires caused by arsonists or thunderstorms and fanned by a heatwave and strong winds wreaked destruction across southern Europe on Wednesday, burning homes and forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee.
—USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Seeing arsonists just set fire to it all is awful.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
In France, arsonists set fire to a dozen Teslas at a dealership in Tolouse, which could be related to radical anti-capitalist groups as well, according to French outlet numerama.
—Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 4 Mar. 2025
Investigators soon determined, and so did the courts, that a motley group of arsonists had intentionally torched the factory, seemingly for the insurance money.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
As with all arsonists, their motives vary, Nordskog said.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Days later, arsonists returned to burn what was left of Chinatown.
—Beth Lew-Williams, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Examples of attacks include everything from graffiti and destruction of statues to arsonists destroying entire churches and assailants attacking churchgoers with deadly weapons.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 30 Aug. 2025
Wildfires caused by arsonists or thunderstorms and fanned by a heatwave and strong winds wreaked destruction across southern Europe on Wednesday, burning homes and forcing thousands of residents and tourists to flee.
—USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Seeing arsonists just set fire to it all is awful.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
In France, arsonists set fire to a dozen Teslas at a dealership in Tolouse, which could be related to radical anti-capitalist groups as well, according to French outlet numerama.
—Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 4 Mar. 2025
Investigators soon determined, and so did the courts, that a motley group of arsonists had intentionally torched the factory, seemingly for the insurance money.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
As with all arsonists, their motives vary, Nordskog said.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arsonists
torches
Noun
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There are processions with music and folk dance performances, but the most impressive sight might be when local fishermen in rowboats illuminate the lake with torches.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
8 Oct. 2025
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Imagine thousands of spectators gathered together, watching in awe as hundreds of torches sway and flicker along the streets, filling the air with lively chants and a festive spirit.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arsonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arsonists. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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