as in burning
to set (something) on fire
police suspect that the owner torched the house for the insurance money
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Recent Examples of torching
Setting intentional forest fires and letting other low-severity ones burn can significantly lower the chances of extreme blazes torching those same areas in the future, according to a new study released Thursday, while reducing toxic smoke over time.
—
Brianna Sacks, Washington Post, 11 June 2026
The finale kicks off by immediately torching Tom Ruffage (Rob Corddry) and Carl Bardolph's (Zach Galifianakis) relationship.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
After torching the Cavs in the fourth quarter and overtime of Game 1, Jalen Brunson turned into much more of a facilitator.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 22 May 2026
Continue reading … LEFT'S CIVIL WAR — 'Pro-capitalist' Fetterman names names, torching fellow Dems as extremists.
—FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
But Thunder reserve guard Isaiah Joe, who had been relatively quiet after torching the Lakers from long range during the regular season (12 for 17 from 3-point range in their final two matchups), made consecutive 3-pointers to give the Thunder a 90-79 cushion entering the fourth quarter.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
After torching Atlanta to close out the series, the Knicks blew out the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the next round.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
Underlying tensions are taut, Iran thinks the US blockade is a violation, the UAE is still smarting from Iranian missile attacks Monday and Tuesday, and Israel is torching a key plank of the ceasefire deal, re-escalating in Lebanon by bombing Hezbollah leaders.
—Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
The issue seemed minute on Monday, with Brunson torching the 76ers en route to an eight-point advantage at the end of the first period.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Brianna Sacks, Washington Post, 11 June 2026
The finale kicks off by immediately torching Tom Ruffage (Rob Corddry) and Carl Bardolph's (Zach Galifianakis) relationship.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
After torching the Cavs in the fourth quarter and overtime of Game 1, Jalen Brunson turned into much more of a facilitator.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 22 May 2026
Continue reading … LEFT'S CIVIL WAR — 'Pro-capitalist' Fetterman names names, torching fellow Dems as extremists.
—FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
But Thunder reserve guard Isaiah Joe, who had been relatively quiet after torching the Lakers from long range during the regular season (12 for 17 from 3-point range in their final two matchups), made consecutive 3-pointers to give the Thunder a 90-79 cushion entering the fourth quarter.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
After torching Atlanta to close out the series, the Knicks blew out the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the next round.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
Underlying tensions are taut, Iran thinks the US blockade is a violation, the UAE is still smarting from Iranian missile attacks Monday and Tuesday, and Israel is torching a key plank of the ceasefire deal, re-escalating in Lebanon by bombing Hezbollah leaders.
—Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
The issue seemed minute on Monday, with Brunson torching the 76ers en route to an eight-point advantage at the end of the first period.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torching
Verb
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Video shared by a witness from the scene showed emergency responders attempting to crack open the plane’s windshield as authorities and bystanders assisted several people out of the burning aircraft.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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At the same time, that quote and Ruth’s attitude also implies that nothing can be done to extinguish the fire in the perpetually burning building.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Verb
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On May 21, 2006, flames leaped 140 feet above Boise’s Hill Road, scorching the paint across 15th Street and gutting the empty Villa Highlands Luxury Retirement Community at the base of the Foothills.—
Mark Dee
June 11,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
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Day 1 of the FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill brought excitement, cheers and thousands of people from all over the world who braved scorching heat to celebrate soccer and Philadelphia.—
Dan Snyder,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Some chemical disasters result from power outages, for example at the Arkema Chemical Plant in Crosby, Texas, where more than three feet of flood waters damaged the refrigeration systems keeping toxic chemicals from decomposing and igniting.—
Cynthia Palmer,
Time,
9 Dec. 2025
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The surges of Arctic air will generate rounds of flurries and squalls in certain locations and may assist igniting storms with more widespread snow.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torching. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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