Definition of scorched-earth
1
: relating to or being a military policy involving deliberate and usually widespread destruction of property and resources (such as housing and factories) so that an invading enemy cannot use them
2
: directed toward victory or supremacy at all costs : ruthless
scorched-earth rhetoric
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for scorched-earth
The first known use of scorched-earth was in 1937
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