torches 1 of 2

Definition of torchesnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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torches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of torch

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
There, Kurds gather to light flaming torches at sunset, carrying them up the mountainside to symbolize light defeating darkness. March 25, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026 The festival concludes with a procession of thousands of people carrying torches and images of the Santo Niño. Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Mar. 2026 The men rushed him with the torches repeatedly but could not drive him farther than the edge of the thick brush. Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026 In March, the old town of Akre is the centre of Kurdish Newroz festivities, when hundreds of people carry flaming torches up the hillside in a boisterous, joyous celebration of the New Year. Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2026 In 2012, Ripa and executive producer Michael Gelman consumed copious amounts of alcohol and went night skiing with torches. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026 Across the island of Sumatra, after evening prayers, many boys and girls parade through the streets, carrying torches and playing Islamic songs. Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026 Our picks for the best solar lawn lights that stay on all night include solar globe lights, in-ground lights, lanterns, and even torches. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026 In addition to skipping out on their hotel bill, the hikers also took with them the gear the rescue team lent them to safely return down the mountain, including two head torches, according to the organization, who said their own attempts to contact the men were also unsuccessful. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 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
Verb
  • Fire burns at the site of recycling materials following a Russian strike in Kyiv on Thursday.
    Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
  • This indicates a hard-kill approach that burns and destroys components instead of relying on electronic disruption.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Last month, arsonists set fire to four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in Golders Green, north London.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
  • A little over six years after being targeted by arsonists during wide-ranging protests in Santiago, Chile, the Violeta Parra Museum has been reopened to the public, the Art Newspaper reports.
    News Desk, Artforum, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Josh lights several candles and crushes some Viagra in preparation for the arrival of one Alexis, but when the doorbell rings, there is no beautiful 26-year-old waiting for him.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
  • One lights a candle at the edge of the pit.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The most common example of extreme indifference is a person who fires a gun into a crowd indiscriminately, creating a grave risk of death to others.
    Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Hezbollah, though weakened in its last war with Israel that ended in November 2024, still fires drones, rockets and artillery daily into northern Israel and on ground troops inside Lebanon.
    Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
  • As greed ignites and alliances crumble, everyone is willing to kill for a chance at the money.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Like an enzyme that works as a catalyst to speed up a chemical reaction, collaboration ignites new ideas for conjectures.
    Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Tucson will also be at or near record temperatures through March 27 as the state’s unprecedented heat wave scorches on, the weather service said.
    Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • As the world around them scorches under record heat, a family walks into the woods, asking what the future holds in this thermal dystopia.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Torches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torches. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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