searing

(verb) make very hot and dry. Synonyms: sear, scorch. Example: "The heat scorched the countryside."

(verb) become superficially burned. Synonyms: scorch, sear, singe. Example: "My eyebrows singed when i bent over the flames."

(verb) burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color. Synonyms: char, blacken, sear, scorch. Examples: "The cook blackened the chicken breast." "The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece." "The flames scorched the ceiling."

(verb) cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat. Synonyms: parch, sear. Example: "The sun parched the earth."

(adj) severely critical.