scorched

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Word: Scorched

Part of Speech: Adjective

Basic Definition: The word "scorched" describes something that has been burned or dried out, usually by heat or sunlight. It can refer to land that has become very dry and barren, often due to extreme heat.

Usage Instructions

• Use "scorched" to describe things that are burned or have been affected by very high temperatures.
• It can be used both literally (like land or food) and figuratively (like emotions or situations).

Examples

1. Literal Usage: "The scorched earth after the wildfire made it hard for plants to grow."
2. Figurative Usage: "After working long hours in the sun, my skin felt scorched and sensitive."

Advanced Usage

"Scorched" can be used in more complex contexts, such as to describe strategic military tactics (like a "scorched earth policy," where resources are destroyed to prevent the enemy from using them) or in literature to convey intense emotions or experiences.

Word Variants

• Scorch (verb): To burn the surface of something. For example, "Be careful not to scorch the toast!"
• Scorching (adjective): Extremely hot. For example, "They went for a walk in the scorching heat."

Different Meanings

1. Physical: Refers to something that has been burned or dried out.
2. Emotional: Can describe feelings of intense pain or distress, e.g., "She felt scorched by his harsh words."

Synonyms

• Burned
• Singed
• Charred
• Parched

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

While "scorched" doesn't have specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to it, you can express similar ideas with phrases like: - "Burning bridges" - meaning to destroy relationships or opportunities. - "To leave no stone unturned" - meaning to search thoroughly for something, which can relate to the idea of thorough destruction in a different context.

Summary

In summary, "scorched" is an adjective that describes something that has been burned, dried out, or severely affected by heat. It can describe both physical conditions (like land or food) and emotional states.

Academic

Adjective

1. having everything destroyed so nothing is left salvageable by an enemy
   • Sherman's scorched earth policy
2. dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
   • a vast desert all adust
   • land lying baked in the heat
   • parched soil
   • the earth was scorched and bare
   • sunbaked salt flats

Synonyms

• adust
• baked
• parched
• sunbaked