scorch

verb (1)

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\ ˈskȯrch

scorched; scorching; scorches

Definition of scorch

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to burn a surface of so as to change its color and texture

2a : to dry or shrivel with or as if with intense heat : parch

b : to afflict painfully with censure or sarcasm

3 : devastate especially : to destroy (something, such as property of possible use to an advancing enemy) before abandoning —used in the phrase scorched earth

intransitive verb

1 : to become scorched

2 : to travel at great and usually excessive speed

3 : to cause intense heat or mental anguish scorching sun scorching fury

scorch

noun

Definition of scorch (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a result of scorching

2 : a browning of plant tissues usually from disease or heat

scorch

verb (2)

scorched; scorching; scorches

Definition of scorch (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

dialectal British

: cut, slash

Other Words from scorch More Example Sentences Learn More about scorch

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Examples of scorch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Reduce heat to low and simmer 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the mixture scorch the bottom of the pan. — Star Tribune, "Sunday Supper: Peanut Noodle and Pork Satay," 19 Feb. 2021 Halogen bulbs, on the other hand, might scorch your plants' leaves. — London Gibson, The Indianapolis Star, "Scrub Hub: What should I do to keep my plants alive during the winter?," 12 Jan. 2021 Bushfires scorch large parts of an Australian island, and residents are concerned about the upcoming season on the mainland. — CNN, "CNN 10 - December 3, 2020," 2 Dec. 2020 Such funds are fireballs that can heat up a portfolio—or scorch it. — Jason Zweig, WSJ, "When the Stock Market Is Too Much Fun," 11 Dec. 2020 The plant is also fussy about warmth; too much summer heat and the leaves and fruit will scorch. — John Tlumacki, The Boston Globe, National Geographic, "Climate change is coming for New England's cranberries," 25 Nov. 2020 The Silverado Fire and Blue Ridge Fire are both burning in Orange County, California, and have quickly grown to scorch nearly 30,000 acres collectively. — Amir Vera, CNN, "From soaring Covid-19 cases to a hurricane, here's what's happening this week beyond the election," 28 Oct. 2020 His outsized reputation as an advocate not just willing but eager to scorch earth on behalf of his clients became an advertisement for his services, a phenomenon that continues to this day. — Alex Pappademas, Los Angeles Times, "‘He’s our Satan’: Mega music manager Irving Azoff, still feared, still fighting," 5 Nov. 2020 Brusdar Graterol, possessor of perhaps the strongest arm that has ever thrown a pitch for Minnesota, took the mound in the World Series and proceeded to scorch batters with triple-digit heat. — Phil Miller, Star Tribune, "Graterol lives up to Twins' World Series dreams -- for the Dodgers," 23 Oct. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The inside walls, floors and appliances had been spray painted and a gun safe had scorch marks on it from a blow torch, according to court records. — oregonlive, "Neighbors describe shock when Portland cop cited Obama administration for not stopping home burglary suspect," 23 Mar. 2021 Other than Queen Elizabeth herself — whom both Meghan and Harry painted as being exceedingly kind to them — no one escaped without scorch marks. — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, "Oprah’s Interview with Harry and Meghan Dragged the Monarchy, Made for Great TV," 8 Mar. 2021 Napa winemakers are demanding looser restrictions after wildfires, pandemic scorch local tourism. — Taylor Kate Brown, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Briefing: Why Sonoma is the only Bay Area county still under tight restrictions," 21 Oct. 2020 Otherwise, its effort to light a fire under HBO Max could leave scorch marks. — Dan Gallagher, WSJ, "Wonder Woman’s Riskiest Mission Yet," 19 Dec. 2020 Leaf scorch: Leaf margins will have a brown or burned appearance. — oregonlive, "Ask an expert: Tips for deep watering drought-stressed trees," 3 Oct. 2020 There are scorch marks on the pavement where a city truck was burned. — Bill Glauber, USA TODAY, "'It's surreal in the worst possible way': Kenosha reels after Jacob Blake shooting and a week of violence," 30 Aug. 2020 Fueled by a fierce and widespread windstorm that started on Labor Day, the fires have spread to scorch close to 1 million acres so far this year -- about double the average annual number for each of the past 10 years. — oregonlive, "14-day work weeks and no guaranteed shower: Oregon firefighters endure brutal conditions to save homes and lives," 20 Sep. 2020 There are scorch marks on the pavement where a city truck was burned. — Bill Glauber, USA TODAY, "'It's surreal in the worst possible way': Kenosha reels after Jacob Blake shooting and a week of violence," 30 Aug. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Reduce heat to low and simmer 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the mixture scorch the bottom of the pan. — Star Tribune, "Sunday Supper: Peanut Noodle and Pork Satay," 19 Feb. 2021 Bushfires scorch large parts of an Australian island, and residents are concerned about the upcoming season on the mainland. — CNN, "CNN 10 - December 3, 2020," 2 Dec. 2020 Halogen bulbs, on the other hand, might scorch your plants' leaves. — London Gibson, The Indianapolis Star, "Scrub Hub: What should I do to keep my plants alive during the winter?," 12 Jan. 2021 Such funds are fireballs that can heat up a portfolio—or scorch it. — Jason Zweig, WSJ, "When the Stock Market Is Too Much Fun," 11 Dec. 2020 The plant is also fussy about warmth; too much summer heat and the leaves and fruit will scorch. — John Tlumacki, The Boston Globe, National Geographic, "Climate change is coming for New England's cranberries," 25 Nov. 2020 His outsized reputation as an advocate not just willing but eager to scorch earth on behalf of his clients became an advertisement for his services, a phenomenon that continues to this day. — Alex Pappademas, Los Angeles Times, "‘He’s our Satan’: Mega music manager Irving Azoff, still feared, still fighting," 5 Nov. 2020 The Silverado Fire and Blue Ridge Fire are both burning in Orange County, California, and have quickly grown to scorch nearly 30,000 acres collectively. — Amir Vera, CNN, "From soaring Covid-19 cases to a hurricane, here's what's happening this week beyond the election," 28 Oct. 2020 Brusdar Graterol, possessor of perhaps the strongest arm that has ever thrown a pitch for Minnesota, took the mound in the World Series and proceeded to scorch batters with triple-digit heat. — Phil Miller, Star Tribune, "Graterol lives up to Twins' World Series dreams -- for the Dodgers," 23 Oct. 2020

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