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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scourge
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
There is one big difference between them, however, and that is a scourge known as Slade Smiley.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 9 Mar. 2023
While the kinds of extreme heat events like the wildfires that scourge many parts of the world in hot weather are still very rare in the UK, this report underlines how much temperature changes affect our daily lives—and are likely to do so more in the future.
—Cassie Werber, Quartz, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Noun
In response to the scourge of mass shootings that have helped define the 21st century in the United States, lawmakers in California passed a landmark red-flag law that would allow authorities to disarm those whose threatening behavior might boil over into deadly violence.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
There is one big difference between them, however, and that is a scourge known as Slade Smiley.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Oct. 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
While the kinds of extreme heat events like the wildfires that scourge many parts of the world in hot weather are still very rare in the UK, this report underlines how much temperature changes affect our daily lives—and are likely to do so more in the future.
—Cassie Werber, Quartz, 23 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourge
Noun
-
That can mean using it as a whip.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The junior went 7-for-8 in the opening quarter, threading tight windows and ending the Tide’s opening drive with a whip-route touchdown to Horton — the Miami transfer — who won in man coverage.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Dart won his first NFL start in a massive upset over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos’ AFC West nemesis, at MetLife Stadium in Week 4.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
And Bette’s nemesis, Joan Crawford might have stuck an antique diamond deco bar brooch under her butch-shouldered fur coat in Mildred Pierce.—
Lynn Yaeger,
Vogue,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But, because of the fragile nature of the pumpkin, Bierton understands that it’s not meant to last, which is both a blessing and a curse.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The pic, from director Marcel Walz and Anathema LLC, follows what happens when a carefree night of partying takes a sinister turn when a group of friends stumble upon an ancient curse and are forced to survive until dawn as a malevolent force begins hunting them.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Many lives have been ravaged by drug addiction and incarceration.—
Grace Byron,
New Yorker,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Tuberculosis ravaged his body, and typing thousands of words a day only weakened him further.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
She was hanged; her body thrown in the river and is often spotted wearing a green turban to hide her missing ear.—
Noreen Kompanik,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Hosts Robert Mays, Zena Keita and Jason Goff look past the recaps and highlights to find the extraordinary stories hiding in ordinary weeks by talking to players, coaches, and newsmakers from all corners of sports.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Two additional straps wrapped around her ankles, along with a buckle to secure the shoes.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The strap is similar to the Meta Quest Elite strap, which is available as an option with Meta’s VR headsets.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After 15 years in Isfahan, Iran, one of his sisters and her children are being forced back to Afghanistan due to mass deportations and vigilante violence against Afghans in that country — including legal residents.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
-
His past includes stints as a radio host and beret-wearing Guardian Angels anti-crime vigilante group founder.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But along with ready cash, the laissez-faire approach brought the banes of corruption, criminal infiltration, and rampant pollution.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Those four words that my husband asks almost every day are the bane of my existence.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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