1
as in whip
a long thin or flexible tool for striking
the museum display included a scourge, thumbscrews, and other notorious instruments of torture
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Relevance
2
as in nemesis
one who inflicts punishment in return for an injury or offense
the attorney general, who just happens to be a candidate for governor, is a self-proclaimed scourge of organized crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune
the sheer ubiquity of food is proving to be the scourge of humanity, as evidenced by the obesity epidemic
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to ravage
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
barbarians scourged the countryside, leaving village after village burned to the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
scourge the tree with a whip to loosen the bark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scourge
Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025
Torres, 36, Afro-Latino and gay, is a prominent scourge of identity politics.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 9 Mar. 2023
Of all the fearful diseases that scourge the human race, this ranks among those that are justly feared most.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Noun
Set in Europe during the Dark Ages, the story sees hordes from Hell invading Europe when the Six Petals, a secret sect of the Knights Templar, pray to God to drive back the demonic scourge.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025
Torres, 36, Afro-Latino and gay, is a prominent scourge of identity politics.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
Like its American rival, the Tiger was initially intended to scourge Soviet tank battalions, but was refashioned for multi-role capabilities.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 9 Mar. 2023
Of all the fearful diseases that scourge the human race, this ranks among those that are justly feared most.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourge
Noun
-
Over in the House, Mike Johnson held his usually fractious conference together on the spending plan with Trump acting as whip, keeping every Republican save one in line.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The two stars whip around each other once every 125.5 minutes.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Comedian, actor and Donald Trump nemesis Rosie O’Donnell has become the latest stand-up celebrity to flee the U.S. in the wake of the president’s reelection.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The novel is a pas de trois (dance for three) starring Natalia, her partner, Alexander, and her nemesis, Dmitri.—
The Know,
The Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Then, Democrats have to be thinking about what happens if Republicans only have a mild case of the midterm curse.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Flubber can do anything, which is both a blessing and a curse for Professor Brainard.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
No broken bottle is going to keep him from ravaging his prey.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Pam's body was ravaged from arthritis caused by the accident.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Of course anyone familiar with Cave, whose directorial debut Fresh established her as a filmmaker to watch, will know that Fred, the town’s ophthalmologist, is certainly hiding a secret.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Risen delivers a marvellous account of the Hiss case, with its many plot twists, involving accusations about a fake typewriter, microfilm hidden in a pumpkin, and the intricacies of ornithology.—
Beverly Gage,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The versatile spring-forward piece can be used as a handheld bag or as a crossbody with a detachable strap.—
Melony Forcier,
People.com,
13 Mar. 2025
-
From a $7 luggage strap to secure your belongings to a four-pack of AirTags to keep tabs on your bags, this St. Patrick’s Day sale is made for travelers.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But along with this reputation came allegations that he was connected to extrajudicial killings by a well coordinated group of vigilantes.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
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Today, news reports from the country of my birth cover everything from its scientists landing a spacecraft on the moon and victories in cricket to cow vigilantes lynching Muslim men on suspicion of eating beef and horrific accounts of violence to women.—
Amitava Kumar,
The New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Below that class of contenders, though, the Heat have had an opportunity to resemble the likes of the Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks (29-24), Detroit Pistons (29-26) and Orlando Magic (27-29), but a pattern of close losses has been the bane of Miami’s existence.—
James Jackson,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
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Radio-frequency jamming is the bane of drones and reportedly prevents a large proportion of FPVs from reaching their targets.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to scourge
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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