scourge

1 of 2

noun

ˈskərj 

ˈskȯrj, 

ˈsku̇rj

1

: whip

especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment

2

: an instrument of punishment or criticism

3

: a cause of wide or great affliction

scourge

2 of 2

verb

scourged; scourging

transitive verb

1

: flog, whip

2

a

: to punish severely

b

: afflict

c

: to drive as if by blows of a whip

d

: chastise

scourger noun

Synonyms of scourge

Noun

• whip
• strap

Verb

• ravage
• destroy
• devastate

Examples of scourge in a Sentence

Noun

a city ravaged by the scourge of unemployment

The disease continues to be a scourge in the developing world.

Verb

a neighborhood scourged by crime

The prisoner was scourged with a whip.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The ads for online gambling can seem as ubiquitous as the score, luring legions into a new scourge of addiction. — Tracy Weber, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2026

The discoveries have sent shock waves around the country, sparked a high-level investigation and highlighted the scourge of femicide and high levels of violent crime. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

An expensive dollar also scourges industries that compete with imports. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026

Sylvia scourges herself with an intensity that would make hairshirted flagellants seem soft. — Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French escorge, from escorger to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- + corrigia thong, whip

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for scourge

• dirge
• merge
• purge
• serge
• splurge
• spurge
• sturge
• surge
• urge
• verge
• converge
• diverge

Kids Definition

scourge

1 of 2 noun

ˈskərj 

1

: whip entry 2 sense 1, lash

2

: someone or something that is an instrument of punishment or criticism

3

: affliction sense 2

scourge

2 of 2 verb

scourged; scourging

1

: to whip severely : flog

2

: to cause severe suffering to : devastate