Synonyms of scourge

scourge 1 of 2

noun

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

• whip
• strap
• lash
• cane
• baton
• knout
• flogger
• bat
• crop
• birch
• switch
• hickory
• rattan
• bludgeon
• bullwhip
• blacksnake
• cudgel
• quirt
• billy
• bastinado
• flail
• cat-o'-nine-tails
• club
• billy club
• rawhide
• bastinade
• cowhide
• staff
• nightstick

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

• nemesis
• vigilante
• avenger
• punisher
• chastiser
• revenger
• castigator
• redresser
• righter
• requiter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• redeemer
• ransomer
• vindicator

• redeemer
• ransomer
• vindicator

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

• curse
• bane
• nemesis
• threat
• menace
• affliction
• danger
• risk
• peril
• hazard
• trouble
• jinx
• hex
• pitfall
• snag
• hoodoo
• catch
• booby trap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• benefit
• aid
• support
• assistance
• relief
• blessing
• advantage
• boon
• gift
• good
• help
• godsend
• windfall
• protection
• comfort
• joy
• felicity
• safety
• defense
• pleasure
• security
• manna
• shield
• delight
• solace
• consolation
• armor
• guard
• safeguard

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• benefit
• aid
• support
• assistance
• relief
• blessing
• advantage
• boon
• gift
• good
• help
• godsend
• windfall
• protection
• comfort
• joy
• felicity
• safety
• defense
• pleasure
• security
• manna
• shield
• delight
• solace
• consolation
• armor
• guard
• safeguard

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scourge

2 of 2

verb

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

• ravage
• destroy
• devastate
• ruin
• eradicate
• plunder
• extirpate
• wreck
• sack
• desolate
• foray
• loot
• harry
• pillage
• obliterate
• despoil
• strip
• annihilate
• waste
• wipe out
• decimate
• overwhelm
• wrack
• expunge
• nuke
• vaporize
• total
• maraud
• extinguish
• shatter
• mow
• overthrow
• smash
• demolish
• overrun
• rub out
• raze
• overpower
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recover
• restore
• rehabilitate
• redeem
• patch
• fix
• repair
• mend
• recondition
• revamp

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• recover
• restore
• rehabilitate
• redeem
• patch
• fix
• repair
• mend
• recondition
• revamp

See More

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

• whip
• hide
• slash
• lash
• leather
• whale
• flick
• flagellate
• hit
• tan
• birch
• slap
• thrash
• cut
• smack
• flail
• bat
• horsewhip
• switch
• flog
• maul
• knock
• punch
• knout
• cowhide
• lick
• bang
• spank
• pound
• strap
• rawhide
• whack
• beat
• cane
• swipe
• clip
• smite
• club
• cudgel
• swat
• quirt
• slug
• clap
• pelt
• thump
• box
• touch up
• crack
• hammer
• bludgeon
• lam
• pummel
• drub
• rough
• blackjack
• clobber
• fustigate
• bop
• sock
• slate
• buffet
• clout
• bust
• thwack
• work over
• wallop
• slog
• bash
• paddle
• batter
• belt
• cuff
• lace
• paste
• lather
• lambaste
• whup
• mangle
• bung
• pistol-whip
• whop
• pommel
• thresh
• belabor
• fib
• baste
• tromp
• lambast
• whap