as in fire
the illegal burning of a building or other property; the crime of setting fire to something
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but investigators suspect arson. The town has suffered a rash of arson attacks.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arson
Gabrielli pleaded guilty to the arson in August 2016.
—
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Significant incidents include an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor's residence, the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and a flamethrower assault on demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
The fire is still under investigation, but South Pasadena Fire Investigator John Papadakis said arson wasn’t the cause.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Kia has been charged with third-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief and animal torture, police said.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for arson
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 June 2025
Significant incidents include an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor's residence, the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and a flamethrower assault on demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
The fire is still under investigation, but South Pasadena Fire Investigator John Papadakis said arson wasn’t the cause.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Kia has been charged with third-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief and animal torture, police said.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
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Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it is still undetermined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2025
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The team carried a smoldering fire in the core from that game into the offseason, and galvanized during a trip overseas that summer.—
Jim Calhoun with Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Due date for individuals and businesses affected by wildfires and straight-line winds in southern California that began on January 7, 2025.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Blacklock told Grist the organization based its wildfire project on research known as the Tamm Review, which found that thinning combined with prescribed burns can reduce wildfire severity by 62 to 72 percent.—
Tom Brown,
Wired News,
14 June 2025
Noun
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By Thursday evening, the blaze has been fully contained by a crew of six firefighters.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2025
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Firefighters were battling to contain the blaze, which was zero percent contained Wednesday morning.—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports,
Arkansas Online,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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