plural plagues
1
old-fashioned
: a large number of harmful or annoying things
The country was hit by a plague of natural disasters that year.
a plague of locusts
There has been a plague of bank robberies in the area.
2
a
: a disease that causes death and that spreads quickly to a large number of people
a plague that swept through the tribe in the 1600s
a time of plague
b
: bubonic plague
an outbreak of (the) plague
plagues; plagued; plaguing
1
: to cause constant or repeated trouble, illness, etc., for (someone or something)
parasites that plague deer
Computer viruses plague Internet users.
Crime plagues the inner city.
Drought and wildfires continue to plague the area.
—often used as (be) plaguedThe new plane has been plagued by/with mechanical problems. [=has had many mechanical problems]
an athlete plagued by knee injuries
2
: to cause constant worry or distress to (someone)
—usually used as (be) plagued
He is plagued by a sense of guilt.
She is plagued by fear of another terrorist attack.
I was plagued with doubts about my decision.
Cite this Entry
“Plague.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/plague. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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