1
as in whip
a long thin or flexible tool for striking
the museum display included a scourge, thumbscrews, and other notorious instruments of torture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in nemesis
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in curse
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to ravage
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
barbarians scourged the countryside, leaving village after village burned to the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to whip
to strike repeatedly with something long and thin or flexible
scourge the tree with a whip to loosen the bark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scourge
Joel Mosbacher, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
That might mean some lower numbers, but that alone is not going to stop homelessness from becoming a worsening national scourge.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 9 Mar. 2023
Of all the fearful diseases that scourge the human race, this ranks among those that are justly feared most.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Noun
Of the many maddening aspects of the scourge of the gun violence epidemic in America, this ranks up there with the most maddening.
—Joel Mosbacher, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
That might mean some lower numbers, but that alone is not going to stop homelessness from becoming a worsening national scourge.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
Like its American rival, the Tiger was initially intended to scourge Soviet tank battalions, but was refashioned for multi-role capabilities.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 9 Mar. 2023
Of all the fearful diseases that scourge the human race, this ranks among those that are justly feared most.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourge
Noun
-
Yet Jesus becomes angered by the desecration of the temple and begins tipping over the merchants' tables in the holy place while wielding a righteous whip.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
-
The early endorsements have nonetheless created a sense of momentum for Schatz, the top deputy on Durbin’s whip team, that could dissuade competition.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Long-time nemesis Brad Marchand scored the winner for the Panthers on a twisted wrister that banked off Rielly before zipping past goalie Joseph Woll.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
His father’s been murdered by his long-time nemesis– possibly something more, the way [he and Carla] keep looking at each other….—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
This wasn't the first time one reduced me to spewing curses, just the first time a robot has accused me of impertinence.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
But many are finding that blessing comes with a curse.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that ravages bone, leaving distinctive holes in its wake.—
David Armstrong,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
-
Last year, the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene included ravaging a Baxter manufacturing plant in Marion, North Carolina, that produces 60 percent of the country's supply of IV solutions.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
The boy hides aloft in the Sycamore Gap tree's branches.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
Their highlight reels hide the daily grind that actually creates results.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
The 2-in-1 Tote Bag keeps your chaos chic with a snap strap for your laptop, zip pockets for the tiny stuff (pacifiers or lip balm, anyone?), and twin open slots for easy phone grabs mid-diaper change.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
-
Jenner stunned in a black Schiaparelli dress with thin straps and black thread embroidery.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Udo Kier gets his fangs ripped out with pliers and Kris Kristofferson is a grizzled vigilante vampire hunter.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2025
-
So there's going to be people, vigilantes, superheroes that are involved in that.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Wolfsbane is part of a larger suite of banes; compounds and derivatives include ratsbane, fleabane, and cow-bane, each name signaling a different poison.—
Laura Murphy,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Charging my Apple Watch every day is the bane of my existence, and despite years of efforts to improve it, the closest that Apple has come is to launch … fast charging?—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share