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
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
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
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
Barry Cooper, the colorful former police officer turned scourge of crooked cops, couldn’t attend the screening of a new film about him at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Arkansas.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
Brandon Miller exited with left shoulder soreness and didn’t return, leaving a gray cloud over the Hornets’ scrappy performance against a team that’s been their arch nemesis.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Trump risks not just a setback to his redistricting power play ahead of the midterms, but delivering a victory to Newsom, his nemesis and a potential 2028 presidential candidate.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
25 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
-
The top is detailed with faint lines that function to hide the appearance of wrinkles, while the viscose and polyester blend do the rest of the work to create a smooth, wearable shirt.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.—
Rhett Bartlett,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These clogs feature an adjustable hook-and-loop closure on the ankle strap and a round, spacious toebed.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The teaching assistant was seated on the floor with a luggage strap looped around her neck and tied to a closet doorknob.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
29 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 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share