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
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
Undrafted out of high school, Torkelson matriculated to Arizona State and started torching college pitching, eventually crushing Barry Bonds’ school record for home runs by a freshman.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Carter, who appeared in only 27 of Sacramento’s first 71 games this season, went 11 of 18 from the field and 6 of 11 from 3-point range, torching a Golden State squad that didn’t want him last summer when the Kings and Warriors discussed a trade for Jonathan Kuminga.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Just last week, two men and a teenager were arrested for allegedly torching ambulances operated by a Jewish community service in northwest London.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Undrafted out of high school, Torkelson matriculated to Arizona State and started torching college pitching, eventually crushing Barry Bonds’ school record for home runs by a freshman.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Carter, who appeared in only 27 of Sacramento’s first 71 games this season, went 11 of 18 from the field and 6 of 11 from 3-point range, torching a Golden State squad that didn’t want him last summer when the Kings and Warriors discussed a trade for Jonathan Kuminga.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Just last week, two men and a teenager were arrested for allegedly torching ambulances operated by a Jewish community service in northwest London.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torching
Verb
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Heard whole, the Barber-Menotti product is as gloriously over the top as anything that Bette Davis ever made with William Wyler—and Heartbeat’s reduction of it to its burning cinders is as just as effective as Glyndebourne’s grandly eloquent take.—
Russell Platt,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
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In the northernmost part of Delaware, coal-burning steam locomotives still chug along historic rails, pulling travelers in antique passenger coaches.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Visit in late spring or fall for pleasant weather; summer can get scorching, especially come midday.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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Video posted to social media shows the wildfire scorching trees and structures along Highway 61.—
Cole Premo,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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In 1985, a confrontation between Philadelphia authorities and the radical group MOVE ended as a police helicopter dropped two bombs onto the group’s row house, igniting a fire that killed 11 people (including five children) and destroyed 61 homes.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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Continue reading … JET SWEAT SET — Marco Rubio spotted in Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One during trip to China, igniting memes online.—
,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torching. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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