arson

Definition of arsonnext
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 Law enforcement in Europe were able to nab two Turkish nationals allegedly behind the arson attack against the Starlink ground station in Poland. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Kevin Alexander Carlson, 30, was sentenced in March 2025 to 11 years in state prison after pleading no contest to felony arson for setting blaze. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Four days later, Gatto was arrested and charged with murder and arson, among other charges. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The Poland arson in September was one of more than 210 incidents across Europe that Western officials consider sabotage and malign activity linked to Russia tracked by The Associated Press since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arson
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arson
Noun
  • Ukraine's General Staff that day said its forces hit an electronics plant in Oryol that makes components for the cruise and ballistic missiles Russia fires at Ukrainian cities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But the drought that set the stage for the fires has dried up Baltzor's hay meadows, too.
    — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Both scenarios would have devastating consequences—dramatically transforming sea levels and ecosystems, and triggering compounding climate extremes such as higher temperatures and drought, increasing the likelihood of wildfires.
    — Simmone Shah, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Before the 2025 tourist season, local and state officials had an opportunity to safeguard Ruidoso and adapt to the realities of a warming climate that is exacerbating wildfires and flooding.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • California assembly members began their discussions on the efforts by the state’s major utilities to reduce wildfire risks and the liability those companies face when their equipment starts a blaze.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Crews from Canton, South Van Zandt, Ben Wheeler, and Wills Point tackled the blaze.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Arson.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arson. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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