plague

²plague

verb

plaguedplagu·ing

Definition of PLAGUE

transitive verb

1

: to smite, infest, or afflict with or as if with disease, calamity, or natural evil

2

a : to cause worry or distress to : hamper, burden b : to disturb or annoy persistently

— plagu·er noun

Examples of PLAGUE

1. Computer viruses plague Internet users.
2. Crime plagues the inner city.
3. Drought and wildfires continue to plague the area.

First Known Use of PLAGUE

15th century

Related to PLAGUE

Synonyms: agonize, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, afflict, rack, torment, torture

Related Words: assail, attack; badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride; aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, vex; discomfort, discompose, disquiet, fluster, grieve, perturb, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry; crush, oppress, overpower, overwhelm, smite, strike, tyrannize, victimize; hurt, pain, pang, prick, smart, stab, sting, wring; martyr

Near Antonyms: abet, aid, assist, help; deliver, release, relieve, reprieve; comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor

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See Synonym Discussion at worry

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic