arson

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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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 arson Kim was also charged with federal unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm and arson, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday. Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2025 The plea deal calls for 2-8 years for the arson charge. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025 Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller issued a statement condemning any potential arson. Susannah Cullinane, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025 On Wednesday, March 28, former infectious disease doctor Amy Cohen, 36, of Narberth, was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to arson, terroristic threats with the intent to terrorize another and other crimes, according to online court records. Kc Baker, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
  • The fires were personal for Scott — his fiancée Zooey Deschanel’s childhood home in the Palisades burned.
    Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Thursday’s deadly fire comes just months after another popular ski resort in the region caught fire, killing 79 people in January.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In Maui, while some of the island’s celebrity homeowners initially discouraged visitors from returning, the region was welcoming people back two months after the wildfires, says Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, chief stewardship officer at the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
    Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The figure includes about $500 million in immediate costs plus lost revenue and recovery spending, and illustrates the lingering toll of the wildfires that began on Jan. 7, killing 30 people and destroying thousands of homes.
    Shawn Hubler, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was called to the residence and put out the blaze at the Susquehanna Riverfront mansion.
    Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Married Volunteer Firefighters Lose Home and 2 of Their Dogs in Dryer Fire North Shore Animal League America also announced this week that over 50 veterinarians had come together to care for the dozens of surviving cats rescued from the blaze.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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