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
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Recent Examples of scourge
Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
Measles, among the most contagious diseases, is typically the first to infect undervaccinated communities and serves as a warning that other scourges will follow.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
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
Those ubiquitous ride companies have reduced the scourge of drunk drivers swerving on our roads and taking the lives of others.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
Measles, among the most contagious diseases, is typically the first to infect undervaccinated communities and serves as a warning that other scourges will follow.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
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
-
Armed with a whip and possibly a dagger, she is also depicted chasing the leopard.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
1 Apr. 2026
-
His tail whips against the stalks of flowers planted by the woman who recently moved there with him.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The game saw Mario once again saving a damsel (Princess Peach, then called Toadstool) from his nemesis, Bowser (née King Koopa), which would remain his motivation for countless sequels for decades.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Yet its nemesis is always within reach.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The story introduces a family curse requiring Rachel to marry her soulmate by sundown on her wedding day or face death.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The season ends with Rachel driving away, now as this immortal witness to the ongoing curse.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fire had consumed the backside of the split-level home, ravaged the kids’ bedrooms and almost every corner of the home.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Florida’s season had been ravaged by injuries from the very beginning.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Senior Assistant County Attorney Bryan Schmid argued in court filings that Scott failed to show the law is unconstitutional and suggested that Scott could create his website and post his videos with redactions to hide the personal information in the clips.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Check and uncheck the boxes next each candidate to show/hide their responses.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Inside, one side of the suitcase features a zipped compartment—useful for keeping toiletries and smaller items contained safely—while the other has a robust compression system with a notably sturdy strap and weighty steel buckle.—
Charley Ward,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The future Princess Charlene arrived in style—specifically, a gorgeous spaghetti-strap black dress that matched perfectly with Albert, who wore a black tuxedo and bow-tie.—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Vigilante groups under scrutiny On the increase since 2023, vigilante groups like the Jean Denis Coalition are increasingly coming under scrutiny.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Around 2023, vigilante groups began to emerge in the Caribbean nation to strike back against gangs sucking the life from Haiti.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Political instability has been a bane, with 32 governments taking office since 1990 and none of them completing a five-year term.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Elias Lindholm took an offensive zone tripping penalty – O-zone stick fouls have been the bane of the B’s season – and the Sabres cashed in on the power play.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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