Scorched Earth Pronunciation: /skɔːrtʃt ɜːrθ/ (SKORCHT URTH) Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
Definition: A strategy of deliberately destroying anything that might be useful to an enemy while withdrawing or advancing, such as crops, buildings, or infrastructure. The term is also used more generally to describe any harsh, all-out approach that leaves nothing of value for rivals or opponents.
Example: As the troops retreated, they used a scorched earth policy to ensure the enemy could not use their supplies. The company took a scorched earth approach to prevent a competitor from gaining an advantage.