SCORCH Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

scorch

verb

ˈskȯrch

Definition of scorch

as in to char

to burn on the surface the picnickers kept scorching their marshmallows, deliberately sticking their skewers into the licking flames of the campfire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to dry

to make dry weeks of drought had badly scorched the soil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scorch Stir often but gently to prevent scorching without overworking the potatoes, which can turn them gluey. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Mint does not like to dry out or overheat, so keep plants watered and provide shade during scorching summer afternoons. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026 The Norte fire — the most devastating blaze — scorched more than 570 acres in residential neighborhoods in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, damaging or destroying at least six homes. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 That was the update last week at a meeting of the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG), a confab of scientists whose research interests focus on the scorching world just sunward from Earth. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scorch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorch

Verb

Police on Tuesday arrested a suspect in the arson attack that charred the historic city hall in Limoges, in central France, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said, adding that the person may not have acted alone.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The South Fork and Salt fires charred the landscape, leaving soils that didn’t easily absorb water.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of char

Verb

For about five days, the murres rotate between the drying pens — which blow warm air on the birds — and 80-degree pools of water inside the clinic.

— Stephanie Zappelli, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Tyrese Haliburton needed the towel draped around his neck to dry the tears streaming down his cheeks.

— Peter Finney Jr, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of dry

Browse Nearby Words

scops

scorch

scorched

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Scorch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorch. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scorch

verb

Example Sentences

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