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
But everyday people expressed their political outrage time and again, throwing rocks at and demolishing the houses of government officials, torching the king’s ships and forts and, eventually, marching to battle.
—
Robert Parkinson,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
In 1984, then unknown monologist Whoopi Goldberg premiered her provocative, thought-provoking one-woman show on Broadway, torching the rulebook of traditional solo performance in one of the most electrifying debuts of the era.
—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
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
Robert Parkinson,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
In 1984, then unknown monologist Whoopi Goldberg premiered her provocative, thought-provoking one-woman show on Broadway, torching the rulebook of traditional solo performance in one of the most electrifying debuts of the era.
—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torching
Verb
-
The smoke from the burning vehicles contained hazardous materials commonly found in automobiles, including fuels, oils and interior components, Nunez said, although steady winds helped disperse the smoke.
-
According to Graser, one of the victims had called from inside the burning building, pleading for help.
Verb
-
Rhode Islanders celebrated America's 250th anniversary at the Bristol Fourth of July parade despite scorching temperatures.
-
On the corner of West 31st Street and Seventh Avenue, right outside Madison Square Garden, the heat was scorching as the temperature inched to 100 degrees.
Verb
-
The blaze remained confined to the wrecking yard property, despite briefly jumping a fence and igniting vegetation to the west.
-
At the party, Decastro spent over an hour shooting off fireworks in the street, eventually igniting the $400 firework.
Cite this Entry
“Torching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torching. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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