parch

\ ˈpärch

How to pronounce parch (audio)

\

parched; parching; parches

Definition of parch

transitive verb

1 : to toast under dry heat

2 : to shrivel with heat

3 : to dry or shrivel with cold

intransitive verb

: to become dry or scorched

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about parch

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Examples of parch in a Sentence

The hot desert sun had parched the land. the heat has really parched my throat

Recent Examples on the Web The frequency of a four-year-long drought, one like the California drought that parched the state a few years ago, increased from under about 0.25 percent of years in the past to about 25 percent in the future. — Alejandra Borunda, National Geographic, "'Snow droughts' are coming for the American West," 14 Aug. 2019 The potential for conflict may increase as climate change parches the region and Egypt’s population increases: from 100m today to an estimated 130m by 2030. — The Economist, "Pyramid scheme," 6 July 2019 From the article: The tradition of Youkilis men providing alcohol to America’s parched goes back almost a century. — Kyle Brown, Cincinnati.com, "Sycamore, UC great Kevin Youkilis featured in Sports Illustrated’s 'Where Are They Now?'," 25 June 2019 The tradition of Youkilis men providing alcohol to America’s parched goes back almost a century. — Mark Bechtel, SI.com, "Former Red Sox Great Kevin Youkilis Crafting a New Path With California Brewery," 25 June 2019 All this effervescence was refreshing for food retailers who are generally parched for growth. — Aaron Back, WSJ, "The Year of Fancy Water and Kombucha," 31 Dec. 2018 US Forest Service The die-off, meanwhile, that’s created so much fuel is a symptom of the years-long drought that has parched the Western United States. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "California has 129 million dead trees. That’s a huge wildfire risk.," 1 Sep. 2018 To make your shower even more moisturizing, swap parching sudsy for a cleansing oil with fatty acid–rich soybean oil to fortify and protect skin's moisture barrier. — Mary Clarke And Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "6 Simple Ways to Battle Dry Winter Skin," 11 Nov. 2015 The Iberian peninsula endured some record heat last weekend, with temperatures exceeding 45 C (113 F), which parched large areas. — Barry Hatton, Fox News, "Wildfires torment Portugal, Spain as France feels the heat," 7 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of parch was in the 14th century

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WORD OF THE DAY

incongruous

not being in agreement or harmony

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