slash-and-burn

adjective

ˈslash-ən(d)-ˈbərn How to pronounce slash-and-burn (audio)
Definition of slash-and-burnnext
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings under his slash-and-burn management ethic, even longtime employees were summarily downsized for the sake of corporate competitiveness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slash-and-burn That stark reality forced both sides to wage slash-and-burn propaganda campaigns designed to sow doubt and disinformation among their enemies. — Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025 The Ukrainian experience here points to a Russian slash-and-burn policy. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2025 Here and there, a plume of smoke rose up from a field; slash-and-burn farming, locally known as tavy, is still practiced here. — Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025 The slash-and-burn approach to funding academic research counters that goal. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slash-and-burn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slash-and-burn
  1. ruthless
  2. merciless
Adjective
  • Once the ruthless commander of Bosnian Serb forces, Mladic oversaw the siege of Sarajevo, mass killings and the 1995 Srebrenica massacre that left more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys dead.
    — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter, like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruthless
Adjective
  • In Braun’s script, the merciless obstacle course of singlehood seems just absurd.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Regehr was relentless and merciless, and Oilers fans had to witness it over and over again.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of merciless

Browse Nearby Words

slash
slash-and-burn
slashed
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Cite this Entry

“Slash-and-burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slash-and-burn. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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