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
Triple-digit heat scorched Denver on Saturday, and another day of record-breaking temperatures is expected on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 July 2026 Started by lightning on July 16, the fire has scorched 42 square miles (109 square kilometers) and destroyed two homes. — ABC News, 24 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
  • For the main course, the lamb kabab slid straight off the skewer, charred on the outside and juicy on the inside.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The blaze has spread across heathland and fields, forcing dozens of people to be evacuated from their homes, with vast stretches of land left charred.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 30 July 2026
Definition of charred
Verb
  • The right specialist, sitting at the table before the ink dried.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • 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
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

Browse Nearby Words

scorch
scorched
scorches
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Cite this Entry

“Scorched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorched. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scorched

Nglish: Translation of scorched for Spanish Speakers

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