Dictionary
scorched–earth
adjective \ˈskȯrcht-ˈərth\
—used to describe a military policy in which all the houses, crops, factories, etc., in an area are destroyed so that an enemy cannot use them
Full Definition of SCORCHED-EARTH
1
: relating to or being a military policy involving deliberate and usually widespread destruction of property and resources (as housing and factories) so that an invading enemy cannot use them
2
: directed toward victory or supremacy at all costs : ruthless <scorched–earth rhetoric>
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First Known Use of SCORCHED-EARTH
1937
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