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.
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Recent Examples of arson
The suspect has since been charged with third-degree arson.
—
Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
In the United States, more than 554,000 arson offenses were recorded between 2015 and 2024.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
There was a seed for this in the original manuscript; a vague suggestion that Richard, Cleo’s grandfather and one of the Chinese immigrant characters, had participated in an act of arson that had burned down the home of an Afro-Latina character named Lina.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Willacy was convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, robbery and arson and sentenced to death in 1991 after a 9-3 jury vote recommending the death penalty.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arson
Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
In the United States, more than 554,000 arson offenses were recorded between 2015 and 2024.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
There was a seed for this in the original manuscript; a vague suggestion that Richard, Cleo’s grandfather and one of the Chinese immigrant characters, had participated in an act of arson that had burned down the home of an Afro-Latina character named Lina.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Willacy was convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, robbery and arson and sentenced to death in 1991 after a 9-3 jury vote recommending the death penalty.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
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In the wrong hands, connections like that can lead to cronyism and profiteering — and there were times when Gray’s relationships came under fire.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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The cause of the plane’s malfunctions is, duh, random sparks from annoying Dan’s charger starting a fire in cargo.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Caruso owns several iconic Southern California destinations, such as the Grove and Palisades Village, which is scheduled to reopen this summer after last year’s wildfires.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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Then, have the government be accountable in maintaining wildland to prevent major wildfires, Mahan said.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Wildfires in Georgia and Florida continue to burn thousands of acres more than a week after the blazes began.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Crews in west Miami-Dade are continuing to monitor a large brush fire that broke out on Monday night as the blaze continues to grow in size.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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