slash-and-burn

[ slash-uhn-burn ]

adjective

1. of a method of agriculture used in the tropics, in which forest vegetation is felled and burned, the land is cropped for a few years, then the forest is allowed to reinvade.

slash-and-burn

adjective

1. denoting a short-term method of cultivation in which land is cleared by destroying and burning trees and other vegetation for temporary agricultural use

Word History and Origins

Origin of slash-and-burn¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

In this, the researchers show that measures to combat slash-and-burn techniques significantly reduce the concentration of particulate matter in the air.

From Science Daily

Bush’s first winning slash-and-burn presidential campaign against Michael Dukakis, worried that the anti-abortion movement would drag down the party and proposed making the GOP a “big tent,” open to those with a wide range of positions on abortion.

From Slate

Quick with a joke — or a jab — he proved irresistible to innumerable reporters, and millions of voters, who devoured his untrammeled style of slash-and-burn rhetoric.

From New York Times

Engoron’s stinging verdict left no doubt that Trump’s characteristic arrogance and slash-and-burn politics played a significant role in the judgment.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather, ad-reliant revenue models of wealthy digital proprietors are now failing so hard that their slash-and-burn newsroom tactics are likely to get more aggressive as short-selling the news ramps up to a fire-sale finale.

From Salon