arsonist Definition
a person who sets fire to property, especially a building, in order to commit arson.
Using arsonist: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "arsonist" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The police suspect that an arsonist started the fire.
Example
The arsonist was caught and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Example
The insurance company is investigating whether the fire was caused by an arsonist.
arsonist Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for arsonist
- firebug
- pyromaniac
- incendiary
Phrases with arsonist
serial arsonist
a person who repeatedly sets fires to property, often with no apparent motive
Example
The city was on high alert after a serial arsonist set fire to several buildings in the downtown area.
arsonist-for-hire
a person who sets fires for money or other compensation
Example
The businessman was suspected of hiring an arsonist-for-hire to burn down his rival's warehouse.
a person who imitates the actions of another arsonist, often for attention or recognition
Example
After the first arsonist was caught, a copycat arsonist began setting fires in the same area.
Origins of arsonist
from Latin 'arson', meaning 'fire'
Summary: arsonist in Brief
An 'arsonist' [ahr-suh-nist] is a person who sets fire to property, especially a building, in order to commit arson. It can refer to a single instance or repeated incidents, as in 'serial arsonist.' Other phrases like 'arsonist-for-hire' and 'copycat arsonist' describe specific motivations or behaviors. Synonyms include 'pyromaniac' and 'firebug,' while 'incendiary' is a more formal term.
