scorched

Scorched is the past participle of scorch and is used as an adjective to describe surfaces that have been exposed to very high heat. Scorched objects typically show signs of burning, such as charring, singeing, or a darkened, crusted layer. The term also describes landscapes or materials affected by heat or drought, as in sun-scorched ground or scorched fabric.

In military and strategic contexts, scorched earth refers to a policy or tactic of destroying crops, infrastructure, and resources as a retreat or deterrent, with the aim of denying the enemy access to materials. The concept has appeared in various historical campaigns and is used in modern warfare analyses and humanitarian discussions.

Colloquially, scorched may also describe intense heat exposure in sun or radiation; figurative use conveys severe damage or depletion in contexts such as economies, environments, or cultural landscapes. The term is commonly contrasted with terms such as unburned, charred, or intact depending on the degree of damage.