as in burning
to set (something) on fire
police suspect that the owner torched the house for the insurance money
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Recent Examples of torching
And Kara Dunn, who played Clemson while at Georgia Tech, has actual experience torching the Tigers.
—
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Locals and tourists took shelter across Mexico amid a wave of retaliatory violence after government forces killed a powerful cartel leader, with gunmen blocking highways and torching cars.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
With Ball torching the nets to the tune of 37 points on the strength of canning 12 of 20 attempts, including going 10 of 15 beyond the 3-point arc, and sparking impressive showings from Kon Knueppel (28 points) and Brandon Miller (22), the Wizards were no match for the Hornets.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026
Is there a more perfect image for the Valentine’s Day hater than Angela Bassett torching her cheating husband’s car and strutting away with the fiercest look ever committed to screen?
—New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Atwood was firing back at would-be book-burners by torching an unburnable edition.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Jayhawks won despite TCU torching the KU defense for 15 made 3s on 35 attempts.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
The trial for New Jersey businessman Paul Caneiro for allegedly murdering four family members and torching two homes — including his own — is set to begin Monday.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
There were burned and vacant buildings nearby; landlords had been accused of torching properties, even with tenants inside, to get insurance payouts.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Jan. 2026
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Locals and tourists took shelter across Mexico amid a wave of retaliatory violence after government forces killed a powerful cartel leader, with gunmen blocking highways and torching cars.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
With Ball torching the nets to the tune of 37 points on the strength of canning 12 of 20 attempts, including going 10 of 15 beyond the 3-point arc, and sparking impressive showings from Kon Knueppel (28 points) and Brandon Miller (22), the Wizards were no match for the Hornets.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026
Is there a more perfect image for the Valentine’s Day hater than Angela Bassett torching her cheating husband’s car and strutting away with the fiercest look ever committed to screen?
—New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Atwood was firing back at would-be book-burners by torching an unburnable edition.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Jayhawks won despite TCU torching the KU defense for 15 made 3s on 35 attempts.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
The trial for New Jersey businessman Paul Caneiro for allegedly murdering four family members and torching two homes — including his own — is set to begin Monday.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
There were burned and vacant buildings nearby; landlords had been accused of torching properties, even with tenants inside, to get insurance payouts.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torching
Verb
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But in this case, the rain left Tehran's residents with sore throats and burning eyes.—
Arundathi Nair,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2026
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That’s been a burning question around Hollywood, as the couple’s company, Archewell Productions, has struggled to release bingeable content.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The death of a star is usually thought to be a violent and hostile place, filled with scorching radiation that destroys fragile molecules.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
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In a region where weather swings from paralyzing ice storms to scorching summers, these elements carry weight.—
Mary Grace Granados
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That all changed when the United States and Israel combined to launch airstrikes on Iran, igniting an ongoing conflict that prompted immediate Iranian retaliation against Israel.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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At least three ships were struck by unknown weapons, possibly Iranian drones, igniting fires and leaving at least three crew members missing from a Thai boat that had to be evacuated, authorities said.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torching. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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