torch 1 of 2

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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torch

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of torch
Noun
Mother Mary left behind a torch, which Mary Shelley boldly carried. Daphne Woolsoncroft, People.com, 8 July 2025 At the same time, great swaths of forested land around the world were being cleared and put to the torch to make room for agriculture. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 3 July 2025
Verb
Bradshaw torched the Steelers in May before the team signed Rodgers. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025 This Mercury squad has been torching teams from the outside, thanks to Alyssa Thomas' MVP-caliber playmaking. Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for torch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torch
Verb
  • The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.
    Neeti Mehra, Treehugger, 13 Sep. 2023
  • The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 13 Sep. 2023
Verb
  • However, the set up casts light far beyond the highway, extending onto beaches even 12 miles away, including Little St. Simons and Sapelo.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 26 July 2025
  • Earlier this week, McIntyre lit into Scott with some NSFW criticisms of the rapper, a sign that WWE’s relationship with Scott was on the ropes.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • 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
Verb
  • In an oxygen-rich environment, the fire will ignite more readily, spread more rapidly and burn at higher temperatures.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2025
  • The cover, in which Carpenter is seen kneeling on the ground, one hand extended toward a figure in a suit who’s grabbing her hair, ignited debates online about whether the photo signified female empowerment or empowered the male gaze.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • During the confrontation, Chavis fired two shots, police said.
    Julia Marnin July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • Montano turned toward the officer, prosecutors said, and both fired weapons.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • These innocuous-seeming actions can kindle dry vegetation, potentially spawning a wildfire.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2025
  • President Donald Trump is weighing an executive order that would attempt to stabilize the business and law of college sports but might instead kindle new legal challenges.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Potassium deficiency causes yellowing and scorching along leaf edges, weak stems, and interveinal chlorosis, a yellowing between the leaf veins.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
  • Take it from someone who easily melts in the scorching heat and humidity — linen clothing is your best option for staying cool all summer.
    Emily Weaver, People.com, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torch. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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