as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
under his slash-and-burn management ethic, even longtime employees were summarily downsized for the sake of corporate competitiveness
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Recent Examples of slash-and-burn
The state initiatives have a markedly different character from Trump’s slash-and-burn approach, symbolized by Musk’s chain saw-brandishing appearance at a Conservative Political Action Committee appearance in February.
—
Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
That practice, known as slash-and-burn farming, actually began 12,000 years ago, though it didn’t get started in earnest in North America until 1500 when European settlers arrived.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 3 July 2025
The work draws from images of gold mining in the Amazon, referencing extractive practices like logging and slash-and-burn farming.
—Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Trump’s slash-and-burn approach to reform — on issues as varied as immigration enforcement to Medicaid to Veterans Affairs and COVID-19 shots, just for starters, will take a strong pushback just to land somewhere near the ever-elusive sensible center.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Supporters see him as an eccentric genius whose slash-and-burn management style is key to his success.
—Kirsten Grind, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Musk’s unorthodox—and often secretive—slash-and-burn tactics often sowed chaos during his tenure in the government.
—Nik Popli, Time, 29 May 2025
Of course, given the dependence of many practitioners on public commissions, opposition to slash-and-burn fiscal policy is also very much in their own interest.
—Ian Volner, Artforum, 28 May 2025
Congress and the courts must do everything possible to stop the federal administration's slash-and-burn tactics.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
That practice, known as slash-and-burn farming, actually began 12,000 years ago, though it didn’t get started in earnest in North America until 1500 when European settlers arrived.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 3 July 2025
The work draws from images of gold mining in the Amazon, referencing extractive practices like logging and slash-and-burn farming.
—Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Trump’s slash-and-burn approach to reform — on issues as varied as immigration enforcement to Medicaid to Veterans Affairs and COVID-19 shots, just for starters, will take a strong pushback just to land somewhere near the ever-elusive sensible center.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Supporters see him as an eccentric genius whose slash-and-burn management style is key to his success.
—Kirsten Grind, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Musk’s unorthodox—and often secretive—slash-and-burn tactics often sowed chaos during his tenure in the government.
—Nik Popli, Time, 29 May 2025
Of course, given the dependence of many practitioners on public commissions, opposition to slash-and-burn fiscal policy is also very much in their own interest.
—Ian Volner, Artforum, 28 May 2025
Congress and the courts must do everything possible to stop the federal administration's slash-and-burn tactics.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slash-and-burn
Adjective
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As a member of a crew that robs banks, Mr. Blonde is the most ruthless.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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As they’re hunted by a ruthless drug gang led by the menacing Power (Aidan Gillen), their fight for survival becomes a journey of redemption.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Frank Trapper / Contributor/Corbis Entertainment Lydia is a high-ranking and merciless executive at Madrigal Electromotive who helps supply Walt's meth operation.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
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While Charlie Brown played things safe, Snoopy lived an exuberant life in his imagination, casting himself as a frustrated novelist, gleeful dancer, merciless attorney and even a prolific flying ace in a World War I Sopwith Camel.—
Chris Carra,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Slash-and-burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slash-and-burn. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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