has been torched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been torched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been set on fire or destroyed by fire, often in a figurative sense as well. Example: "The old warehouse has been torched, leaving nothing but ashes behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

BP's reputation has been torched in the US, where it earned 40% of its profits.

The Guardian - Business

Since July, the apartment has been torched two more times, on Nov. 18 just as repairs were being completed, and again in early December.

The New York Times

An evening that began in sombre anticipation has turned violent.At least one police car has been torched, and several buildings, including a Walgreens, have been either looted or set on fire.

The Economist

The house of Petro Simonenko, the leader of Ukraine's communist party, has been torched; Andrei Klyuev, who is widely believed to have been in charge of the attack on the protesters, has been shot in the leg.Civil order may well be maintained; but Ukraine is also staring into an economic abyss.

The Economist

Jeremy Maclin (PHI) vs. New Orleans — Thirty-three yards on six grabs is certainly a disappointing Week 8 stat line, and there are no guarantees the quarterback who starts this game is going to finish it, but we are talking about the Saints' rancid defense in Week 9. New Orleans has been torched for 39 fantasy points through the air by receivers over the last five weeks.

The New York Times

Torch Tower in Dubai has been #torched pic.twitter.com/9ItrNm5aw5.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Not that this probably matters to Mr. Trump: When asked on "60 Minutes" about Mr. Pence's vote in favor of the Iraq war — a vote for which he has been torching Hillary Clinton — he replied, "I don't care".

The New York Times

Four have been torched in the last couple of months.

The Economist

In some villages, homes were said to have been torched.

Independent

A homeless man had been torched in Queens.

The New York Times

Their villages have been torched to the ground.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been torched" figuratively, ensure the context makes the comparison to fire or destruction clear to enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "has been torched" in highly formal or academic writing where more neutral language like "destroyed by fire" or "severely damaged" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been torched" functions as a passive construction of the verb "torch", indicating that something has been set on fire or severely damaged. Ludwig AI provides examples where it is used both literally, referring to physical objects being burned, and figuratively, referring to reputation or other intangible things.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been torched" is a passive construction indicating that something has been set on fire or severely damaged, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While grammatically correct and understandable, it's crucial to consider the register, avoiding overuse in overly formal or academic contexts. Synonyms like ""was set ablaze"" or ""has been burned down"" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been burned down

Implies complete destruction by fire.

was reduced to ashes

Focuses on the end result of burning.

was set ablaze

Focuses specifically on the act of setting something on fire.

was consumed by fire

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction.

has been gutted

Suggests the interior has been destroyed, often by fire.

has been devastated

Broadens the scope to any form of severe destruction, not just fire.

has been ravaged

Implies widespread damage and ruin.

has been decimated

Suggests severe reduction or destruction, but not necessarily by fire.

has been obliterated

Indicates complete annihilation.

has been heavily criticized

Shifts to a figurative meaning of 'torching' as in harshly attacking someone's reputation.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been torched"?

It means something has been set on fire, often resulting in significant damage or complete destruction. Figuratively, it can mean something has been severely criticized or damaged in reputation.

What are some synonyms for "has been torched"?

Synonyms include "has been burned down", "was set ablaze", or "has been gutted" for literal meanings and "has been heavily criticized" for figurative uses.

How can I use "has been torched" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The building has been torched by arsonists" or, figuratively, "His reputation has been torched after the scandal."

Is it appropriate to use "has been torched" in formal writing?

While understandable, "has been torched" is generally more suitable for news reports or informal contexts. Formal writing may benefit from alternatives like "was destroyed by fire" or "was severely damaged".