scorched-earth
Leave nothing standing
Scorched-earth describes a military strategy of destroying anything useful before retreating—crops, buildings, infrastructure—so the enemy gains nothing: The army adopted a scorched-earth policy as it withdrew.
Figuratively, it describes any approach that leaves devastation behind, especially tactics that harm everyone including oneself: a scorched-earth divorce, scorched-earth litigation.
Burned until black
- blackenedDarkened by burning
- ashenPale, grayish-white
- desolateBleak and abandoned
- barrenUnable to produce
incinerated · torched · singed · parched · smoldering · carbonized · ravaged · blighted
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- defoliationLoss of foliage
- napalmFlammable gel for bombs
- pillagingForcible theft during conflict
- evacuationRemoval from danger
salting · incendiary · counterinsurgency · denial · destruction · strategic withdrawal · civilian displacement · slash-and-burn
Unwanted corporate buyout attempt
- litigationLegal dispute process
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
destructive · no-holds-barred · nuclear option · poison pill · burn bridges · all-out · vindictive · take-no-prisoners
charred
Burned until black
barren · incinerated · torched · singed · parched · smoldering · carbonized · ravaged · blighted · devastated
retreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- defoliationLoss of foliage
- napalmFlammable gel for bombs
- pillagingForcible theft during conflict
evacuation · salting · incendiary · counterinsurgency · denial · destruction · strategic withdrawal · civilian displacement · slash-and-burn · total war
hostile takeover
Unwanted corporate buyout attempt
- litigationLegal dispute process
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
uncompromising · destructive · no-holds-barred · nuclear option · poison pill · burn bridges · all-out · vindictive · take-no-prisoners · mutually assured destruction
scorched-earthsurgical
Relating to operations
targeted · selective · precision · pinpoint · discriminate
scorched-earthpreservationist
Heritage protection advocate
conservationist · protective · restorative · constructive · stewardship
scorched-earthrestrained
Held under control
proportional · measured response · velvet glove · calibrated · soft power
earth, scorch, earthy, unearth, earthquake, scorched, earthly, unearthly, earthen