scorched; scorching; scorches
1
: to burn a surface of so as to change its color and texture
2
a
: 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
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
1
: a result of scorching
2
: a browning of plant tissues usually from disease or heat
Examples of scorch in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the picnickers kept scorching their marshmallows, deliberately sticking their skewers into the licking flames of the campfire
weeks of drought had badly scorched the soil
Recent Examples on the Web
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
This is a big deal as the new process requires no crushing pressure or scorching heat.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
Shade during the hottest parts of the day can protect mint from sun scorch and drying out.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scorch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The scorching-hot Gonzalez exited with knee soreness, the Red Sox announced.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
This is a big deal as the new process requires no crushing pressure or scorching heat.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
By Thursday, July 24, the dome’s reach is expected to stretch into the Great Lakes and Northeast, bringing the intense summer scorch with it.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
Shade during the hottest parts of the day can protect mint from sun scorch and drying out.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scorch
Cite this Entry
“Scorch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scorch. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scorch
1 of 2 verb1
: to burn on the surface
2
: to burn so as to dry, wilt, or turn brown
scorch
2 of 2 noun1
: a result of scorching
2
: a browning of plant tissues usually caused by disease or heat
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share