Arsonist: meaning, definitions and examples

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arsonist

[ˈɑːrs(ə)nɪst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

criminal activity

A person who intentionally sets fire to property, typically for malicious reasons such as revenge or financial gain.

Synonyms

firebug, incendiary, pyromaniac.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
arsonist	Use when referring to a person who deliberately sets fire to property, typically as a criminal act. The police arrested an arsonist who set the warehouse on fire last night. The town's arsonist was finally caught after weeks of investigation.
firebug	Use informally, often in a less serious context, to describe someone who is obsessed with setting fires. It can have a playful tone but is generally negative. The kids called him a firebug because he always played with matches. Local authorities are on the lookout for a firebug causing small fires in the neighborhood.
pyromaniac	Use when discussing someone with a psychological disorder characterized by an irresistible impulse to start fires. The psychologist diagnosed him as a pyromaniac. The pyromaniac could not suppress the urge to set things ablaze, despite knowing the consequences.
incendiary	Use in a formal context when referring to a person or substance that starts fires, often intentionally and with the purpose of causing damage. Also can refer to something causing conflict. The military discovered incendiary materials in the enemy's camp. His incendiary comments sparked a heated debate.

Examples of usage

The arsonist was arrested for setting fire to the abandoned warehouse.
The authorities are investigating a series of fires believed to be the work of an arsonist.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal term

In legal terms, an arsonist is someone who is convicted of the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

Synonyms

fire raiser, fire starter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
arsonist	Used in legal and criminal contexts to describe someone who intentionally sets fires to property, typically for malicious purposes. The arsonist was apprehended by the police after setting fire to the warehouse. Insurance companies are always wary of claims involving fires set by arsonists.
fire starter	Can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Literally, it refers to someone who lights a fire, sometimes not with malicious intent. Metaphorically, it refers to someone who initiates trouble or conflict. During the camping trip, he became known as the fire starter because he was good at building campfires. In the office, she was a fire starter, often initiating arguments among colleagues.
fire raiser	An old-fashioned or less common term for someone who sets fires deliberately. It may be used in historical contexts or in literature. The medieval village was tormented by a fire raiser who left destruction in their wake. In the detective novel, the protagonist was hunting down the notorious fire raiser.

Word

Description / Examples

arsonist

Used in legal and criminal contexts to describe someone who intentionally sets fires to property, typically for malicious purposes.

The arsonist was apprehended by the police after setting fire to the warehouse.
Insurance companies are always wary of claims involving fires set by arsonists.

fire starter

Can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Literally, it refers to someone who lights a fire, sometimes not with malicious intent. Metaphorically, it refers to someone who initiates trouble or conflict.

During the camping trip, he became known as the fire starter because he was good at building campfires.
In the office, she was a fire starter, often initiating arguments among colleagues.

fire raiser

An old-fashioned or less common term for someone who sets fires deliberately. It may be used in historical contexts or in literature.

The medieval village was tormented by a fire raiser who left destruction in their wake.
In the detective novel, the protagonist was hunting down the notorious fire raiser.

Examples of usage

The prosecution presented evidence that the defendant was the arsonist responsible for burning down the building.
The judge sentenced the arsonist to ten years in prison for his crime.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'arson' comes from the Old French 'arsin', which means 'to burn', derived from Latin 'ardere', meaning 'to burn'.
In legal terms, arson is considered a crime because it not only endangers life but also causes property damage.
The word has been in use since the 14th century, illustrating the long-standing issues societies have faced with intentional fire setting.

Historical Occurrences

In ancient Rome, arson was punishable by death, indicating how seriously it was viewed.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 was initially rumored to be caused by an arsonist, though it was later determined to be accidental.
Arson has been a tactic in warfare, where fires are used to disrupt or destroy enemy resources.

Psychology

Some arsonists act out of a psychological condition called pyromania, where they feel a compulsion to start fires.
Many individuals who commit arson exhibit anti-social behavior patterns and may be struggling with deep emotional issues.
Studies show that a significant number of arsonists have a history of trauma or neglect in their childhood.

Pop Culture

Movies like 'Fahrenheit 451' feature characters who engage in fire-setting as a form of rebellion, reflecting societal themes.
TV shows often portray arsonists as complex characters, blending themes of chaos and control, such as in 'Breaking Bad'.
Notable real-life cases of arson have inspired numerous crime documentaries that investigate the psychology behind these actions.

Preventive Measures

Fire departments use community education programs to inform people about the dangers and legal consequences of arson.
Neighborhood watch programs often include efforts to reduce fire-related crimes by encouraging vigilance.
Advancements in technology allow for better surveillance and detection of suspicious fire-starting behaviors in communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "arsonist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incendiário

🇮🇳 आगजनी करने वाला

🇩🇪 Brandstifter

🇮🇩 pembakar

🇺🇦 палій

🇵🇱 podpalacz

🇯🇵 放火犯 (ほうかはん)

🇫🇷 pyromane

🇪🇸 incendiario

🇹🇷 kundakçı

🇰🇷 방화범 (banghwabeom)

🇸🇦 مشعل الحرائق

🇨🇿 žhář

🇸🇰 palič

🇨🇳 纵火犯 (zònghuǒfàn)

🇸🇮 požigalec

🇮🇸 brennuvargur

🇰🇿 өрт қоюшы

🇬🇪 ცეცხლის წამქეზებელი

🇦🇿 od qoyan

🇲🇽 incendiario

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,415, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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35412 aspic
35413 louver
35414 refueled
35415 arsonist
35416 stinginess
35417 voile
35418 maddest
...