scorched 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of scorchednext
as in burned

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scorched

2 of 2

verb

past tense of scorch
1
as in charred
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
2
as in dried
to make dry weeks of drought had badly scorched the soil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of scorched
Adjective
If possible, wait until the extreme temperatures cool to apply pesticides that can cause scorched leaves. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 June 2026 Later the day of the arson, a young man with scorched hands faced an FBI agent and others investigating the crime. — Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Claremont Fire in the Boise Foothills had scorched 6,800 acres of terrain by Tuesday afternoon, torching sagebrush and shrubs, wildflowers and weeds, and narrowly avoiding homes. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 15 July 2026 Thousands of acres have been scorched by wildfires with recent states of emergency declared due to extreme heat and dry conditions, according to the Associated Press. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scorched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorched
  1. burned
  2. charred
  3. dried
  4. seared
  5. incinerated
  6. scorching
Adjective
  • Designed to function like an ice resurfacer, BurnBot lays down pre-burned paths that define the boundaries of burn areas.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Nov. 2025
  • Yeager said none of the non-burned areas of the facility have been turned on again.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Definition of burned
Verb
  • The boat was badly charred but remained floating, Stanton said.
    — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
  • Roast until soft and charred in spots, 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once.
    — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Definition of charred
Verb
  • Unlike shell-in eggs, all commercial egg products, such as liquid, frozen, or dried eggs, must be pasteurized.
    — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 23 July 2026
  • Hutson’s early arrival as a franchise defenseman means that a deal that seemed preposterous before the ink dried has now transcended even that.
    — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of dried
Adjective
  • Every guest will enjoy a prix fixe menu of steak, a seared romaine parmesan salad and bottomless fries.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026
  • DiMaria says it can be grilled or pan-seared, then cut into strips or cubes for a main dish.
    — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026
Definition of seared
Adjective
  • Grace, her white lace dress blackened with blood, is smoking a cigarette outside of an incinerated mansion that belongs to her in-laws, the Le Domas, who are all dead.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Know More Initially founded in 2012 with a $5 million dollar grant from the John Templeton Foundation, Nautilus incinerated cash, sparing no expense in its pursuit of bringing resplendent literary science to the reading public.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of incinerated
Adjective
  • The breathable mesh upper keeps my feet cool even in scorching temperatures, while the treaded outsoles provide extra grip on park walks and during unpredictable weather.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Start With Fresh Air Many drivers immediately press the recirculation button, but that isn’t always the fastest way to cool a scorching cabin.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Definition of scorching

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scorch
scorched
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Cite this Entry

“Scorched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorched. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scorched

Nglish: Translation of scorched for Spanish Speakers

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