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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as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
police suspect that the owner torched the house for the insurance money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torch
Ale Russian, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Some are friends who stood beside me through the AIDS crisis, others are carrying the torch forward with the new generation.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 May 2026
Zach Harper, New York Times, 22 May 2026
On Tuesday, shortly before the Verona Fire started, Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters rushed to Jurupa Valley to battle the Bain Fire, which has since grown to torch 600 acres and caused four civilian injuries.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for torch
Noun
Since Survivor premiered on May 31, 2000, the tribe has spoken hundreds of times — and only 48 contestants haven't had their torches snuffed.
—Ale Russian, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Some are friends who stood beside me through the AIDS crisis, others are carrying the torch forward with the new generation.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 May 2026
Verb
After torching the Cavs in the fourth quarter and overtime of Game 1, Jalen Brunson turned into much more of a facilitator.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 22 May 2026
On Tuesday, shortly before the Verona Fire started, Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters rushed to Jurupa Valley to battle the Bain Fire, which has since grown to torch 600 acres and caused four civilian injuries.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for torch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torch
Noun
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The dual arc igniter can quickly light cigarettes, candles, campfires or small materials without needing fuel, and performs even under windy or humid situations with no extra tools required.—
Shirl Leigh
April 23,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2026
-
An electric igniter is hidden on the top of the phone behind a small trap door.—
Angela Moscaritolo,
PC Magazine,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the capital, the attacks damaged several residential and commercial buildings, sparking fires and burning cars, authorities said.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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Family Akelarre is an adults-forward hotel, designed more for couples and contemplative travelers than for toddlers with energy to burn.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Placing Ben-Gvir in charge of the police and prison services was akin to appointing an arsonist to run the fire department—which, incidentally, also falls under his authority.—
Avi Issacharoff,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
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Also reeling from a fire death are friends and relatives of Oreste Deleon, 70, a Bronx landlord who died along with two tenants on May 6 when an arsonist torched his Mott Haven building.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The hypnotic motifs and stylized figures in these collections lit a fuse for Nilsson and her peers, seeding a fascination with non-Western art that has continued throughout her career.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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For all the dark spaces in this hotel, the bathrooms are beautifully lit, with lots of white marble, deep soaking tubs, heated towel rails, and plush bathrobes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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An arson fire destroys the 43-year-old Globe Theatre on March 8 (the arsonist was never caught, but a firebug had set several blazes in the park that winter).—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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The violent arrest immediately sparked community protests, and Hyder was fired the next day.—
Jericka Duncan,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
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Terr hopes that the settlements reached thus far will deter officials from firing or punishing employees for their speech moving forward, despite political pressure or online outrage.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Trump has effectively imposed a fuel blockade on the island by threatening tariffs on countries supplying it with fuel, igniting seemingly endless power outages and delivering new blows to the island's already ailing economy.—
Phil Stewart,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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Isaac Collins led off that inning with a double that ignited KC’s late four-run comeback from a 3-0 deficit.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Lemieux was a polarizing figure in the Avs-Red Wings games, but kindled a friendship with Detroit tough guy Darren McCarty following an alumni event in 2016, leading them to participate in documentaries about how much the rivalry meant to the game.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
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Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torch. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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