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
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Recent Examples of torch
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
Then little Holly Wheeler and her 10-year-old friends, including the Season 5 favorite Derek (Jake Connelly), all swarm into the basement and take over the D&D table in a passing of the torch that basically whacks the audience over our collective heads.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
Jack Devine, Regents Earning this honor for the second straight year, Devine, a junior quarterback, torched opposing defenses, throwing for 3,491 yards and 55 TDs and running for 727 yards and 12 scores to pace an offense that averaged 50 ppg.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for torch
Noun
As for the welding torch demonstration, a professional welding flame typically reaches around 1,500 °C, whereas most home and building fires burn between 600 °C and 800 °C (1,112 °F to 1,472 °F).
—Verb
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.
—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.—
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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.—
Verb
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Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office, which represents the Eaton Fire burn scar communities, said she has been briefed by the EPA on the soil testing efforts.—
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The fires started just hours apart and burned for a month, killing 31 people and destroying more than 16,000 buildings across the county.—
Noun
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Last year, an arsonist tried to kill Shapiro by setting the governor’s official residence on fire in the middle of the night.—
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Last year, an arsonist tried to kill Shapiro by setting the governor's official residence on fire in the middle of the night.—
Verb
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Other recreational opportunities include, but are not limited to, swimming in one of four separate pool areas, skating on an outdoor rink that is covered, lighted, and available for 20 weeks of the year, tennis, and there are hiking trails.—
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Attendees heard remarks from city leaders and lit candles in honor of Good.—
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).—
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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.—
Verb
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After shooting Holmes several times, Taylor allegedly stepped away and then turned around and fired more shots into the victim, who was on the ground, according to the affidavit.—
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One team member crawled inside and fired paintballs filled with vegetable oil, wildlife organization BEAR League told Fox News Digital on Thursday.—
Verb
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Eager for the ball, Watson surveyed the lane and kicked out to Pickett for a 3-pointer that ignited a 7-0 Nuggets answer.—
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The complaint alleges the blaze ignited when the two workers from the Public Works Department were moving boulders in Trabuco Canyon.—
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.—
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These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.—
Cite this Entry
“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torch. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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