as in to afflict
to cause persistent suffering to
plagued by a cough for all of last week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in epidemic
a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death
the Black Death was a plague that killed about one third of Europe's population in the Middle Ages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of plague
Barry M. Bloom,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Paul Snider, who spoke on behalf of the property owner and operator, told council members that not all areas of the hotel were plagued by issues and that there have been some efforts underway to alleviate the issues, but the closure has prevented them from taking further action.
—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
If plague is detected quickly, it can be treated with antibiotics.
—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for plague
Verb
After years plagued by injuries, his improved defense and base running have earned him second place in American League All-Star voting among outfielders.
—
Barry M. Bloom,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Paul Snider, who spoke on behalf of the property owner and operator, told council members that not all areas of the hotel were plagued by issues and that there have been some efforts underway to alleviate the issues, but the closure has prevented them from taking further action.
—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Noun
But a series of high-profile incidents over the last few weeks has also laid bare the plague of gun violence in the city.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
If plague is detected quickly, it can be treated with antibiotics.
—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for plague
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plague
Verb
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They are both afflicted by cognitive and/or hearing issues.
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Two-thirds of respondents afflicted with alpha-gal reported anxiety or depressive disorders in a 2025 University of Missouri survey.
Noun
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But Dr Hon Pak, Samsung’s Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team, feels that model is increasingly inadequate for a world grappling with ageing populations, rising healthcare costs and an epidemic of chronic disease.
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For example, when the avian flu epidemic hit a few years ago, Koetz said Purdue University Extension educators would issue updates on the epidemic with guidance, including keeping ducks and chickens separated.
Verb
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Supporting people who have too often been, and continue to be, persecuted and othered would be a direct way to address the suffering.
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It's partially inspired by director Benjamin Christensen's research on the German text Malleus Maleficarum, a guide to witchcraft for inquisitors looking to persecute its perpetrators.
Noun
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Many who lived through the pandemic—and witnessed this inability to combat the lethal pestilence—developed scornful opinions of the medical profession.
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Our current Supreme Court is certainly proving that to be true. — Rosemary Blumberg, Plantation For the greater good The confederacy should never have been allowed to fester into another pestilence.
Verb
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Wayne County prosecutors allege that on June 17, Montgomery tortured and burned a raccoon at a home in the 12000 block of Washburn Street in Detroit and posted a video on social media of the animal being burned alive.
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In fact, the disease has been torturing humans for at least 5,500 years, according to a study published today in the journal Nature .
Noun
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What Research Shows About Cancer in Dogs While there is no evidence that turkey tail shrinks tumors, the mushroom has drawn real scientific interest as a complementary therapy for serious illness.
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Harold Wheeler, a prolific and Tony-winning Broadway orchestrator, composer and conductor who for 17 seasons served as musical director for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, died following a lengthy illness Wednesday, June 24, at his home in Los Angeles.
Verb
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In the adjacent room, the Shapiro team was equally besieged.
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The mass shooting that claimed 49 lives and injured dozens of others—the deadliest hate crime targeting LGBTQ+ people in American history—still leaves a grievous mark, most especially in a city, state and nation besieged with new attacks on the gay community.
Noun
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Keep your eyes peeled for these pesky pests buzzing around your yard.
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No matter how clean the room looks, the floor is a high-traffic highway for pests.
Cite this Entry
“Plague.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plague. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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