plague

1 of 2

noun

ˈplāg 

1

a

: a disastrous evil or affliction : calamity

b

: a destructively numerous influx or multiplication of a noxious animal : infestation

a plague of locusts

2

a

: an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality : pestilence

b

: a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms

called also black death

3

a

: a cause of irritation : nuisance

b

: a sudden unwelcome outbreak

a plague of burglaries

plague

2 of 2

verb

plagued; plaguing

transitive verb

1

: to cause constant or repeated trouble, illness, etc. for (someone or something)

2

a

: to cause worry or distress to

was plagued with doubts/guilt

b

: to disturb or annoy persistently

plaguer noun

Synonyms of plague

Noun

• epidemic
• pestilence
• illness
• pest

Verb

• afflict
• persecute
• torture
• besiege
• curse
• attack

Choose the Right Synonym for plague

worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts.

worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

Examples of plague in a Sentence

Noun

The country was hit by a plague of natural disasters that year.

There has been a plague of bank robberies in the area.

a plague that swept through the tribe in the 1600s

Verb

Computer viruses plague Internet users.

Crime plagues the inner city.

Drought and wildfires continue to plague the area.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The foodborne virus, which causes a wretched illness, continues to plague adults, particularly people who are homeless or who abuse drugs or alcohol, with a total of 1,648 cases and 85 deaths reported in 2023. —Arthur Allen, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

People whose lives were cut short by plague or tuberculosis returned to bring the same illness upon their family members. —Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026

Verb

In February 2004 recycling advocates told CBS News Chicago's Antonio Mora that the Blue Bag program was plagued with serious flaws and had been in the beginning. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

Not only because of what happened the last time Green Bay played in Chicago, as another trip there looms this week, but also because of what has happened in recent Packers playoff appearances and the chronic shortcomings plaguing special teams in Green Bay. —Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English plage, from Late Latin plaga, from Latin, blow; akin to Latin plangere to strike — more at plaint

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plague

• anti-plague
• avoid (someone or something) like the plague
• bubonic plague

Rhymes for plague

• craig
• vague

Kids Definition

plague

1 of 2 noun

ˈplāg 

1

a

: a disastrous evil

b

: a large number of destructive pests

a plague of locusts

2

: an epidemic disease causing a high rate of death : pestilence

especially : a serious disease that is caused by a bacterium, occurs or has occurred in several forms including bubonic plague, and is usually passed to human beings from infected rodents and especially rats by the bite of a flea or is passed directly from person to person

3

: a cause or occasion of annoyance : nuisance

plague

2 of 2 verb

plagued; plaguing

1

: to strike or afflict with or as if with disease or evil

2

: to cause worry or distress to

plagued by a sense of guilt

Medical Definition

plague

noun

ˈplāg 

1

: an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality : pestilence

a plague of cholera

2

: a virulent contagious febrile disease that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Yersinia (Y. pestis synonym Pasteurella pestis), that occurs in bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic forms, and that is usually transmitted from rats to humans by the bite of infected fleas (as in bubonic plague) or directly from person to person (as in pneumonic plague)

called also black death