Synonyms of scorch

scorch

verb

ˈskȯrch 

1

as in to char

to burn on the surface

the picnickers kept scorching their marshmallows, deliberately sticking their skewers into the licking flames of the campfire

Synonyms & Similar Words

• char
• singe
• bake
• sear
• light
• ignite
• fire
• incinerate
• inflame
• kindle
• scald
• cremate
• scathe

2

as in to dry

to make dry

weeks of drought had badly scorched the soil

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dry
• parch
• bake
• sear
• desiccate
• dehydrate
• drain
• evaporate
• shrivel
• dehumidify
• wither
• air-dry
• mummify
• wizen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wash
• wet
• water
• saturate
• flood
• drown
• soak
• bathe
• hydrate
• douse
• inundate
• drench
• overflow
• damp
• dampen
• moisten
• waterlog
• deluge
• sop
• submerge
• dip
• swamp
• souse
• humidify
• rehydrate
• dunk

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scorch

Highs Friday topped out at a cool 79 degrees for Sacramento, 85 for Modesto, and only 91 for normally-scorching Fresno. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026

After a bit of a reprieve from an oppressively hot summer, another heat wave is set to scorch Southern California this week. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Any bone marrow, hair or nail clippings that could be used for standard post-mortem DNA tests are scorched. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Working quickly, pour caramel into a 9×5-inch loaf pan, but do not scrape bottom of saucepan in case any caramel on the bottom scorched and became bitter. — Emily Paster, Midwest Living, 16 Aug. 2026