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
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Recent Examples of arson
Early last Sunday morning after hosting a Passover Seder, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were evacuated from the governor's official residence in Harrisburg as an arson fire tore through the mansion.
—
ABC News, 20 Apr. 2025
On Friday, April 18, the Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs named Owen McIntire, 19, as the person facing federal charges related to an arson at a Tesla business in Kansas City, Mo.
Woman Accused of Trying to Plant Explosive Devices at Colo.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
The University of Massachusetts Boston student was back in his hometown of Parkville, Missouri, for spring break at the time of the arson, according to the DOJ, which said that the incident occurred on March 17 near the Kansas City Tesla Center.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
The other person was Jamison Wagner, who was charged on April 14 for arson attacks at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters and a Tesla dealership.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arson
ABC News, 20 Apr. 2025
On Friday, April 18, the Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs named Owen McIntire, 19, as the person facing federal charges related to an arson at a Tesla business in Kansas City, Mo.
Woman Accused of Trying to Plant Explosive Devices at Colo.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
The University of Massachusetts Boston student was back in his hometown of Parkville, Missouri, for spring break at the time of the arson, according to the DOJ, which said that the incident occurred on March 17 near the Kansas City Tesla Center.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
The other person was Jamison Wagner, who was charged on April 14 for arson attacks at the New Mexico Republican Party headquarters and a Tesla dealership.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
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At this time, there is no data on the containment status of the fire and the cause has yet to be determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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In the game, as well as in real life, striking flint on steel can start a fire.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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