as in torch
a person who deliberately and unlawfully sets fire to a building or other property
after the second suspicious fire, police set a trap for the firebug
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Recent Examples of firebug
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).
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
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.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
Two men have been charged with felony arson in Los Angeles in unrelated cases as authorities combat firebugs, looters and multiple raging blazes in Southern California.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025
And an even handier rundown of fireworks laws in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana for you firebugs.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 4 July 2023
Rogers reviewed call logs to guess their likely next target and alerted officers, who nabbed the firebugs in action.
—Jennifer Brett, ajc, 28 Sep. 2019
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
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.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025
Two men have been charged with felony arson in Los Angeles in unrelated cases as authorities combat firebugs, looters and multiple raging blazes in Southern California.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025
And an even handier rundown of fireworks laws in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana for you firebugs.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 4 July 2023
Rogers reviewed call logs to guess their likely next target and alerted officers, who nabbed the firebugs in action.
—Jennifer Brett, ajc, 28 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firebug
torch
Noun
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Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
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Former Canadiens captain Yvan Cournoyer entered the Bell Centre from that plaza holding a torch, walked it into the building and the arena bowl, setting off the Canadiens’ traditional playoff ritual of the ice catching fire, and the building roared.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Firebug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firebug. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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