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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of torch
Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
The actors who play those characters, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, have rocketed to fame, even getting asked to run the Olympic torch for the Milan Cortina Games in February.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Janis Carr, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
That came just 24 days after Dennis Allen’s Saints were on the wrong end of a Nacua torching — 9-164-1 — an experience Allen was reminded of Thursday.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for torch
Noun
The Heated Rivalry stars took part in the Olympic torch relay in Feltre, Italy, on Sunday ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
The actors who play those characters, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, have rocketed to fame, even getting asked to run the Olympic torch for the Milan Cortina Games in February.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, a former Chino Hills High star, was the latest outside shooter to torch the Lakers (24-15), going 9 for 17 from behind the arc.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
That came just 24 days after Dennis Allen’s Saints were on the wrong end of a Nacua torching — 9-164-1 — an experience Allen was reminded of Thursday.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for torch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torch
Noun
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After eight days of examining the scene, analysts found that the light source matched the sparks from a flint ignitor and the flame from a butane lighter.—
Harrington Gardiner,
CBS News,
17 Nov. 2025
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The ignitor came in the form of fellow defenseman Jake Middleton delivering a bone-crunching hit – legally – to Stars forward Matt Duchene in the neutral zone.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Melody Townsend was convicted after the body of her daughter, Ana Marie Townsend, was found by first responders wrapped in plastic inside the attic of a burned, abandoned home in the 15400 block of Hamlin Avenue in Markham in 2017.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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When James Watt improved steam engine efficiency, factories did not burn the same amount of coal to do the same work.—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The arsonists were never identified.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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The cases started in the early morning hours on Wednesday, and the arsonist struck again on Thursday.—
Andrea Nakano,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The streets are begrimed by factory smoke, fecund with horse dung and lit by lanterns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
No one even lives here, said Chuky, trying to light a cigarette but foiled by a laugh.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 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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Lakeside's previous police chief, who also served as mayor, Robert Gordanaire, was fired after he and his daughter, the town clerk, were indicted by a grand jury for selling vehicles belonging to the town and pocketing the profit.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Even the oldest maxim about cab drivers and bell hops giving share prices was tested by relating an anecdote about comments in his village pub from locals and complete strangers firing questions at him and a fellow gold trader about the gold price.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hernandez made her only basket of the first half on a pull-up 3-pointer that ignited a 9-0 run and gave the Anteaters their biggest lead of the game at 16-8.—
Dan Arritt,
Oc Register,
25 Jan. 2026
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Gas ovens pose a dangerous carbon monoxide risk that can lead to poisoning or death, while electric ovens can be a fire hazard, melting knobs or igniting nearby flammable items.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This is only slightly challenged by a flame kindled between Mindy and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) earlier on in the show.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
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These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torch. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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