as in burned
to set (something) on fire
police suspect that the owner torched the house for the insurance money
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Recent Examples of torched
The explosions caused secondary fires that torched neighborhoods, according to the suit.
—
Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Jack Devine, Regents Earning this honor for the second straight year, Devine, a junior quarterback, torched opposing defenses, throwing for 3,491 yards and 55 TDs and running for 727 yards and 12 scores to pace an offense that averaged 50 ppg.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
The Clippers boasted the NBA’s best defensive rating during their win streak, but the Celtics torched them in Boston’s highest-scoring first quarter of the season.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
As Adebayo watched Saturday’s game from the Heat’s bench in street clothes, Siakam torched the Heat’s defense in the first two quarters.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
According to Open Doors, the continent’s most populous nation saw the worst persecution in Africa in 2025, with ‘non-stop stories of deadly attacks and kidnappings’ across Nigeria’s north and Middle Belt — a litany of villages torched, citizens raped, abducted, shot and beheaded.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
The Arizona transfer torched KU last year, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and dropping 19 points.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Dillingham had a rough first shift, scoring two points but getting torched on defense.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Former All-Pro Dallas corner Trevon Diggs’ play has fallen off a cliff this season, and the Cowboys have gotten torched for a league-leading 10 touchdowns on throws of 20-plus yards.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
Jack Devine, Regents Earning this honor for the second straight year, Devine, a junior quarterback, torched opposing defenses, throwing for 3,491 yards and 55 TDs and running for 727 yards and 12 scores to pace an offense that averaged 50 ppg.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 4 Jan. 2026
The Clippers boasted the NBA’s best defensive rating during their win streak, but the Celtics torched them in Boston’s highest-scoring first quarter of the season.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
As Adebayo watched Saturday’s game from the Heat’s bench in street clothes, Siakam torched the Heat’s defense in the first two quarters.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
According to Open Doors, the continent’s most populous nation saw the worst persecution in Africa in 2025, with ‘non-stop stories of deadly attacks and kidnappings’ across Nigeria’s north and Middle Belt — a litany of villages torched, citizens raped, abducted, shot and beheaded.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
The Arizona transfer torched KU last year, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and dropping 19 points.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Dillingham had a rough first shift, scoring two points but getting torched on defense.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Former All-Pro Dallas corner Trevon Diggs’ play has fallen off a cliff this season, and the Cowboys have gotten torched for a league-leading 10 touchdowns on throws of 20-plus yards.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torched
Verb
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The Palisades fire burned for 24 days, destroying more than 6,800 structures, damaging countless others and forcing most of the neighborhood’s residents to move elsewhere.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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Brown, who was beaten with metal poles, bitten and burned with cigarettes, had his front teeth ripped out with pliers, prosecutors said.—
Muri Assuncao,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the Browns are 2-6 with little to look forward to, prompting Cleveland radio host Ken Carman to go scorched earth and call for Sanders, the Colorado alum, to start.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
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As of Thursday morning, eight acres of land had been scorched by it.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torched. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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