torch 1 of 2

as in igniter
a person who deliberately and unlawfully sets fire to a building or other property several suspicious fires in the past few months have probably been set by the same torch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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torch

2 of 2

verb

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 torch
Noun
So his love and his desire for Serena is for someone he’s carried a torch for as a widower. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025 Bill Maher torches choice: Robby Soave Robby delivers a radar on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y) likely being the Democratic presidential nominee in 2028. The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
Granted, the Bulls were not playing most of their top players, but the Knicks had all their stars other than Karl-Anthony Towns in uniform, and Garland torched them in the fourth quarter. Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 Home insurance broadly covers fire damage, but there is a growing dispute over what damage must be covered when flames don't torch the property. CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for torch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torch
Verb
  • The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.
    Neeti Mehra, Treehugger, 13 Sep. 2023
  • The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 13 Sep. 2023
Verb
  • During the tricky Death monologues, Urbina subtly shines a spotlight on the actor, while the others, frozen in place, are dimly lit, still able to be seen.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
  • On a gas model, light the burners on one side, leaving the opposite side off.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • In video released by police, the firebug could be seen setting fire to a small pile of trash next to the head of a sleeping passenger stretched out on the seat.
    Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Two men have been charged with felony arson in Los Angeles in unrelated cases as authorities combat firebugs, looters and multiple raging blazes in Southern California.
    Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Tatum ignited that surge with a 3-pointer – part of a 20-point first half for the Celtics star – and Kristaps Porzingis helped maintain it with two offensive rebounds, a putback tip-in and a steal under Boston’s basket.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
  • Starship ignited its Raptor engines Monday morning on a test stand near SpaceX's Starbase launch facility in South Texas.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • In the collider, lead ions are fired at each other at nearly the speed of light, either hitting one another or passing close to others.
    George Petras, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Chow Yun-fat’s bullet ballet is reloaded and ready to fire again on the Croisette.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The versatility of vanilla is what kindles its popularity.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • As if this summer's scorching weather prediction from the Old Farmer's Almanac wasn't enough to set us all—ahem—ablaze, hurricane season 2025 is also poised to set some records.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • Scrutiny circled them after Game 3, when a struggling Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t defer to a scorching Williams down the stretch.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torch. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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