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
Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Responding deputies located the suspect within the preserve holding a torch, according to the affidavit.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Underlying tensions are taut, Iran thinks the US blockade is a violation, the UAE is still smarting from Iranian missile attacks Monday and Tuesday, and Israel is torching a key plank of the ceasefire deal, re-escalating in Lebanon by bombing Hezbollah leaders.
—Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for torch
Noun
Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, who has been a vocal defender of Israel, became the first foreign leader to light a torch as part of the celebrations.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Responding deputies located the suspect within the preserve holding a torch, according to the affidavit.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Minnesota, the same squad that torched Denver for more than 60 points in a game in the first round, had just 38 points in the paint.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Underlying tensions are taut, Iran thinks the US blockade is a violation, the UAE is still smarting from Iranian missile attacks Monday and Tuesday, and Israel is torching a key plank of the ceasefire deal, re-escalating in Lebanon by bombing Hezbollah leaders.
—Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 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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The two fires burn as Florida is in the peak of wildfire season, according to the state’s Department of Emergency Management.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
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Jason Stepp, the division chief of operations for the Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue department, said about noon that the southwest portion of the fire is under control, while the northwest portion continues to actively burn and spread.—
Megan Vaz,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Spate of attacks In March, arsonists set fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity, also in Golders Green.—
Jomana Karadsheh,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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Some have also noted that Lunds became victim to shoplifting, staff turnover, a loss of customers in the era of remote work and a fire set by an arsonist that caused upward of $500,000 in damage in 2022.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In fossil fuel extraction zones — the Permian Basin in Texas, the Bakken fields of North Dakota, oil regions across the Middle East — lights flicker violently in sync with drilling booms and busts, bearing little relation to broader economic trends.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Tablecloths are black and lights ultra low, the better to show off the exquisite, almost otherworldly dishes.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 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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Trump nominates Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA, a surprising comeback after the former Navy SEAL was fired last May for defending the agency’s existence amid calls to dismantle it.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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The outlet reported that in 2020, Brown fired multiple rounds at Boston police officers while already on probation in a separate case.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Dan filed for divorce in 1985, igniting a years-long legal and custody battle that became increasingly hostile.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
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The maternal energy of the flower ignites Cancer's emotions.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
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America's hopes for its first high-speed rail were kindled in 2008, when California voters approved a ballot measure for a train connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco in less than three hours.—
Jon Wertheim,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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This spectacular success kindled a desire in Hersheypark officials to invest heavily in thrill rides.—
John Haddad,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torch. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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