Torrid

Characterized by intense heat and dryness; intensely passionate, ardent, or enthusiastic. It can also describe a situation or relationship marked by extreme, often tempestuous, emotional intensity, scandal, or difficulties. The term often implies a sense of burning, overwhelming feelings or circumstances. It suggests a state of high energy, excitement, and sometimes even recklessness. Think of the searing heat of the desert or the all-consuming flames of a powerful love affair. 'Torrid' conveys a sense of intensity that can be both alluring and dangerous, suggesting a situation that is hard to resist or to escape from.

Torrid meaning with examples

• The explorers struggled through the torrid desert, their water supplies dwindling under the scorching sun. The sand dunes radiated heat, making every breath a struggle. The oppressive heat sapped their strength and they moved slower and slower. Despite the obvious danger, the promise of the oasis drove them forward, although they knew there was still danger.
• Their torrid affair was the talk of the office. The illicit relationship involved secret meetings, passionate embraces, and the constant fear of discovery. The intensity of their emotions quickly burned bright, but their colleagues knew the scandal could also burn them out completely.
• The novel painted a torrid portrait of a city consumed by corruption. The author's vivid descriptions portrayed a place where the air hung heavy with deceit, where every corner held a secret, and the pursuit of power was relentless. This atmosphere and torrid storyline kept every page turning.
• The critic described the play as a torrid exploration of grief and obsession. The actors displayed an unflinching look at the depths of the human soul. The intensity of the characters' emotions filled the theater, making for a performance of intense emotion that left the audience breathless.
• After a torrid summer of economic strife, the country began to face a new set of issues. The economy had suffered severe damage. The government worked through the chaos. A long period of recovery lay ahead. The torrid period, with its severe economic blows, shaped the coming future for everyone.