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
The stars are going to be carrying the Olympic torches. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Jan. 2026 From presenting at the Golden Globes to bearing the Olympic torches, Storrie and co-star Hudson Williams are the It Hollywood boys of the moment. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026 That same rule of thumb goes for any type of flame source, like lighters or torches. Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 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, 18 Jan. 2026 In long-winter states up north, many parks light cross-country and snowshoe trails with torches or electric lights to keep people active outdoors even when workdays begin and end in the dark. Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026 Under the night canopy, the researchers used ultraviolet torches and sensors to uncover the hidden light reflecting off the deer’s territory marks. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025 Two easy 1-mile trails will be lit by torches; one trail will be available to cross-country skiers, and the other will be available for everyone else to hike, snowshoe or pull sleds. Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 22 Dec. 2025 At night, the stars shine bright as torches. Amie O'Brien, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
Hopper cut off a Demogorgon’s head, and Murray torches quite a few. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025 Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS SWEET REVENGE – Aaron Rodgers torches former Jets team with 4 touchdowns in Steelers debut victory. FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torches
Verb
  • Your body burns additional calories in the cold from shivering.
    Kaelyn Lynch, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
  • According to Amnesty International, Israel used white phosphorus, a highly reactive chemical that burns at extremely high temperatures when exposed to air.
    Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The arsonists were never identified.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Indeed, Knight says the Guinness family claims that the Guinness brewery feared attacks by Fenians and arsonists before Benjamin Guinness’s death.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Status lights The best bed alarms have status lights that relate varying pieces of information.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Taylor then lights a cigarette, sets the tchotchkes aflame, and fury-walks out the door.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, in which former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick faces a major snub, and Virginia Commonwealth University fires an employee after ICE videos.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Three law enforcement experts told CNN the pattern of shots could be indicative of contagious fire, a term used to describe when an officer fires a weapon in response to the sound of another officer’s gunfire.
    Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 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
  • Under California law, most of those payments, as well as the lawsuit settlements, are expected to be covered by a state wildfire fund that lawmakers created to shield the three biggest for-profit utilities from bankruptcy if their equipment ignites a catastrophic fire.
    Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Think again, as the California Zephyr, the longest route in America crosses through seven states, carving up Colorado’s canyons, then passing into Utah where the sun ignites mesas into flaming towers of rock.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • That’s the difference between fury that scorches everything in sight and anger that fuels justice.
    Marc Brackett, Time, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Torches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torches. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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