TORCHES Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

torches 1 of 2

noun

plural of torch

as in igniters

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

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torches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of torch

as in burns

to set (something) on fire police suspect that the owner torched the house for the insurance money

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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 torches

Noun

North Metro also emphasized that propane torches should not be used on weeds during the current fire restrictions. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Continue reading … ‘JUST ASTOUNDING’ – Ex-NBA player looking to enter WNBA torches league over crucial point. — FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Midwives delivered the baby using two mobile phone torches balanced on windowsills. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 The husband-and-wife owners discreetly deliver coffee and breakfast each morning, then light each site’s campfire and tiki torches in the evening. — Tree Meinch, Midwest Living, 11 July 2026 These stand-up torches offer a warm, flickering glow while helping define walkways, patios, and gathering spaces. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 The list of fireworks that aren’t allowed includes bottle rockets, Roman candles, illuminating torches, missiles with fins or rudders and single or multi-shot parachutes with night effects. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 Some held torches to light the way as floodlights appeared to illuminate the rubble against the darkness of night. — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 Or, try lighting citronella torches and candles around your outdoor entertaining space to keep mosquitoes at bay. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026

Verb

Continue reading … BENCH WARRED — Blanche torches Trump foe Boasberg after appeals court blocks judge again in deportation fight. — FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026 Hopper cut off a Demogorgon’s head, and Murray torches quite a few. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for torches

Noun

But other fires have been attributed to arsonists or criminal negligence.

— Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Yes, doubtless that many are sparked by lightning or other naturally occurring things, but a fair number of arsonists have been arrested over the past few years for deliberately starting them.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of arsonists

Verb

And the Diderot-Baudelaire-Fried tree abides even as the forest burns mutely round it, match lit by Elon Musk and company.

— Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Besides losing parts of her fingers on her left hand, the child suffered a cut to her right hand and burns to her left hand and left arm, prosecutors said.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of burns

Verb

Mereu’s sure hand with his actors is a saving grace, with Perrone and Maenza particularly well-cast, and DP Francesco Piras lights them to perfection while being in perfect synch with the director’s reverence for the natural world.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Partnership feels friendly as nurturing Moon lights your 7th House of Partnership, trining harmonious Venus in your 11th House of Friends and Community.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of lights

Verb

While Martin Scorsese called it one of the scariest movies of all time, The Uninvited kindles a wonderful romance between Rick and Stella.

— Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
The star of Big Little Lies confessed her new film, Caught Stealing, kindles a powerful yearning for some aspects of the era.

— Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Definition of kindles

Verb

This time around, Connect 3 returns to Camp Rock for a music challenge that ignites feuds among the competitors and campers.

— Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Compressed gas ejects the missile from its vertical launch cell before its main engine ignites above the ship.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026

Definition of ignites

Verb

The city is bracing for triple digit temperatures this week as another heat wave scorches Central and Eastern Europe, driving fears that levels could drop even further.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
France followed its hottest-ever day with yet more brutal temperatures as a deadly heat wave scorches much of western Europe.

— Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 June 2026

Definition of scorches

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torches

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“Torches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torches. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of torches

noun

verb

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