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scourged

verb

past tense of scourge
1
as in ravaged
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 whipped
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 scourged These scourged the poor harder than anyone else. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourged
  1. ravaged
  2. whipped
  3. destroyed
  4. lashed
  5. devastated
  6. slashed
  7. flogged
  8. slapped
Verb
  • Impressive given the situation Expectations weren’t particularly high for Iowa State — which saw its roster ravaged in the offseason — and Jimmy Rogers.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Mandel's futuristic story of a world ravaged by a lethal flu virus was already a bestseller and National Book Award finalist six years before the coronavirus pandemic gave it the unwanted status of prophecy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of ravaged
Verb
  • That sort of whipped, inswinging ball from Slater that caused so much havoc is hugely familiar to avid Premier League watchers.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • And that daring move seemed to set the tone for the rest of the night, as Kansas City whipped the reigning AFC West champions 31-10.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of whipped
Verb
  • Forces also destroyed a third vessel, the M/T Kylo near the Gulf of Oman.
    — Gabrielle Khoriaty, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
  • And, as Europe has felt more threatened by Russian incursions, a week ago NATO fighter jets destroyed a drone near Romania’s natural gas projects in the Black Sea.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroyed
Verb
  • Every night, after Jesus died on the cross, my apostles gently helped me down from the chain-link fence to which I had been lashed.
    — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • After the two additional deaths were reported this week, Shapiro again lashed out at Kennedy.
    — Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of lashed
Verb
  • The remains were found near Crystal Rapid, about 10 miles downstream from Phantom Ranch, one of the areas devastated by the August 29 deadly flash flood that washed out footbridges and campgrounds.
    — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast, authorities have identified the remains of a Tennessee woman who had been missing since the storm.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of devastated
Verb
  • Christian then lays out the finale’s mandates, which, just like last season, are dramatically slashed down from what Project Runway used to be.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The world's largest oil buyer has slashed its imports after the war broke out, tapping into its stockpiles, keeping a lid on global oil prices and safeguarding its economy.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of slashed
Verb
  • The same day that the nanny allegedly beat Walter, other caregivers slapped and flogged his siblings, including with shoes and wooden sticks.
    — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • The media flagged and flogged it for AI incompetence.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of flogged
Verb
  • Washington has slapped sanctions on some of the groups and could impose more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • When confronted by the rest of the band (including Stevie, who pleaded with him to reconsider), Lindsey grew irate and allegedly slapped his onetime musical partner across the face and tried to strangle her.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of slapped

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Cite this Entry

“Scourged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourged. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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