scourge

scourge

noun

Definition of SCOURGE

1

a long thin or flexible tool for striking <the museum display included a scourge, thumbscrews, and other notorious instruments of torture>

Synonyms flogger, lash, scourge, switch

Related Words birch, blacksnake, bullwhip, cat-o'-nine-tails, cowhide, crop, hickory, knout, quirt, rattan, rawhide, strap; bastinado (or bastinade), bat, baton, billy, billy club, bludgeon, cane, club, cudgel, flail, nightstick, staff

2

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 avenger, castigator, chastiser, punisher, scourge, vigilante

Related Words revenger; redresser, righter; requiter

Near Antonyms ransomer, redeemer, vindicator

3

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>

Synonyms affliction, curse, nemesis, scourge

Related Words hex, hoodoo, jinx; danger, hazard, menace, peril, risk, threat, trouble; booby trap, catch, pitfall, snag

Near Antonyms advantage, aid, assistance, gift, help, relief, support; comfort, consolation, solace; delight, joy, pleasure; armor, defense, guard, protection, safeguard, safety, security, shield

Antonyms benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, good, manna, windfall