scorching

[skawr-ching]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scorching ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

burning; very hot.

caustic or scathing: a scorching denunciation.

Origin of scorching

First recorded in 1555–65; scorch + -ing²

Related formsscorch·ing·ly, adverbun·scorch·ing, adjective

scorch

[skawrch]

verb (used with object)

to affect the color, taste, etc., of by burning slightly: The collar of the shirt was yellow where the iron had scorched it.

to parch or shrivel with heat: The sun scorched the grass.

to criticize severely.

Machinery. burn¹(def 31).

to destroy (crops, towns, etc.) by or as if by fire in the path of an invading army's advance.

verb (used without object)

to become scorched: Milk scorches easily.

Informal. to travel or drive at high speed: The car scorched along the highway.

noun

a superficial burn.

Origin of scorch

1400–50; late Middle English scorchen, perhaps blend of scorcnen (< Scandinavian; compare Old Norse skorpna to shrivel) and torch¹

Related formsun·scorched, adjectivewell-scorched, adjective

Synonyms for scorch

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scorch ON THESAURUS.COM

1. char, blister. 3. excoriate, condemn.

Synonym study

1. See burn¹.

Antonyms for scorch

3. laud.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for scorching

sizzling, searing, blistering, sweltering, fiery, scathing, burning, hot, caustic, curt, derisive, nasty, sarcastic, scornful

Examples from the Web for scorching

Contemporary Examples of scorching

However, the ongoing bloody conflict between Israel and Palestine is apparently still too scorching a hot-button issue to touch.
Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire Posts Pro-Palestine Photo, Allegedly Cyberbullies Israeli-Born MTV VJ
Robert Silverman
July 14, 2014
Of course there is high-volume, scorching human vanity at large here.
Introducing ‘Breatharianism,’ The Dumbest Diet of All Time
Kent Sepkowitz
March 2, 2014
Combined with zombie-slaying stunts and the scorching Georgia heat, conditions on set can be grueling.
The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus Says Michonne’s Cute, Wouldn’t Mind a Romance
Melissa Leon
November 11, 2013
Sure, all of these folks share healthy egos and a scorching ambition, but come on, we are talking about American politics here.
How Bad Is It? Even Ann Coulter Has Turned On Conservatives
Michelle Cottle
October 15, 2013
Scorpio Rising by R.G. Vliet One of the most scorching, incandescent romances ever.
Rick Bass: The Best Books ’Bout Texas
Rick Bass
September 17, 2013

Historical Examples of scorching

Then came smoke, the smell of scorching linen, and a cry of horror from Celine.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Words can give no idea of the scorching, blinding heat this August afternoon.
The Roof of France
Matilda Betham-Edwards
Cover the fat of the kidney and the back with paper to prevent it from scorching.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
My suffering was horrible; my tears were flowing, scorching and bitter.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
He was still looking at her and tears were scorching his eyes.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for scorching

scorch

verb

to burn or become burnt, so as to affect the colour, taste, etc, or to cause or feel pain

to wither or parch or cause to wither from exposure to heat

(intr) informal to be very hotit is scorching outside

(tr) informal to criticize harshly

(intr) British slang to drive or ride very fast

noun

a slight burn

a mark caused by the application of too great heat

horticulture a mark or series of marks on fruit, vegetables, etc, caused by pests or insecticides

Derived Formsscorching, adjective

Word Origin for scorch

C15: probably from Old Norse skorpna to shrivel up

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for scorching

scorch

"to burn superficially or slightly, but so as to change the color or injure the texture," early 14c., perhaps an alteration of scorrcnenn "make dry, parch" (c.1200), of obscure origin, perhaps from Old Norse skorpna "to be shriveled," cognate with Old English scrimman "to shrink, dry up." Or perhaps from Old French escorchier "to strip off the skin," from Vulgar Latin excorticare "to flay," from ex- (see ex-) + Latin cortex (genitive corticis) "cork;" but OED finds this not likely. Scorched earth military strategy is 1937, translation of Chinese jiaotu, used against the Japanese in a bid to stem their advance into China.