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
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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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of scourge
Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 28 Nov. 2025
The recent abductions revive a long-running scourge that Nigeria has battled since the terrorist group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 school girls from Chibok in 2014, with nearly a third still missing.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Noun
Here's why one writer thinks its time to end the scourge of scared kids forced to sit on Santa's lap for a photo opp—for good.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 28 Nov. 2025
The recent abductions revive a long-running scourge that Nigeria has battled since the terrorist group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 school girls from Chibok in 2014, with nearly a third still missing.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
The tragedy inspired a poem by twelve-year-old Benjamin Franklin and a funeral oration by the scourging Puritan clergyman Cotton Mather.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourge
Noun
-
At the time, Lai Ching-te was serving as his party's caucus whip, tasked with navigating the legislative battle.—
Ashish Valentine,
NPR,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The more subdued whip stitch pillow cover features graphic contrast stitching for some minimalist detail that’s not too in-your-face.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In this version of the classic tale, Peter is Wendy's father, and James, the book’s Captain Hook, plans to seduce her to get back at his nemesis.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Formerly a longtime nemesis of the Mets, Kimbrel was one of the best closers of the 2010s.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the preview, it was mentioned that Leon has something called the Umbrella curse.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In the 2002 comedy, McAdams plays a catty teen who's turned into, yep, Saturday Night Live alum Schneider, via a curse.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her consistent binge sessions are ravaging her spirit.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Texans were ravaged by injuries on the interior defensive line this season, and many of those players will be free agents.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Didn't seem to be hiding anything.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
But hiding behind this benign climate state was all that titanic power flowing through the climate system.—
Adam Frank,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The main selling point here is the slingback strap that can be worn tucked up on the vamp or adjusted down to secure your heel in place.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This single-strap leather tote is a tad more practical for everyday use but still fits into the slouchy, hobo trends that are carrying over into 2026.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But at the same time, law and order has significantly eroded with a troubling spike in vigilante lynchings and mob violence, as well as the abuse and online doxing of women in particular.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
-
On Thanksgiving night in 1942, when Coretta was fifteen, white vigilantes burned their house to the ground.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Relationships can feel like both a blessing and the bane of your existence, a source of joy and a source of frustration or resentment.—
Jessica A. Stern,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Instead of being a bane on the team, the defense was the reason Miami made it to the title game.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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