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
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
These are usually the one-and-done arsonists, Nordskog said.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Roughly a third of wildland arsonists are connected to the fire service, Nordskog said.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Related article Why do arsonists set fires?
—Ella Nilsen, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Amid the ensuing discussion on what, or who, is to blame for the fires, some people have blamed climate change, while there have also been police investigations into allegations that arsonists are responsible.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
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
These are usually the one-and-done arsonists, Nordskog said.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Roughly a third of wildland arsonists are connected to the fire service, Nordskog said.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Related article Why do arsonists set fires?
—Ella Nilsen, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
Amid the ensuing discussion on what, or who, is to blame for the fires, some people have blamed climate change, while there have also been police investigations into allegations that arsonists are responsible.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arsonists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arsonists. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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