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
Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
After 66 years in the sky, Prince Crandall is preparing to retire and pass the torch to new flight attendants like Alise Broussard, who just graduated from Delta’s In-Flight Training Center.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 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
On the other side of the card Eva had drawn it in a tracksuit and lime-green running shoes holding a flaming torch in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
After 66 years in the sky, Prince Crandall is preparing to retire and pass the torch to new flight attendants like Alise Broussard, who just graduated from Delta’s In-Flight Training Center.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 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
-
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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Local touches were everywhere, from an extensive collection of books ranging from South African chick-lit to memoirs of Nelson Mandela, Trevor Noah, and Siya Kolisi to a mini-bar stocked with gin, rum, and brandy made with Cape Fynbos plants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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The problem is that most homes are lit the same way from breakfast to bedtime, and that flat unchanging signal works against you at the wrong hours.—
Allison Palmer
June 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
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
-
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
-
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 4 Jun. 2026.
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