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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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
Steve Bloom, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
What kind of research? Finding new cancer treatments, halting the worldwide scourge of tuberculosis, identifying environmental factors like plastics that might cause disease, or finding vaccines for the next pandemic, to name a few.
—Dr. David M. Sack, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 9 Mar. 2023
Of all the fearful diseases that scourge the human race, this ranks among those that are justly feared most.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Noun
The scourge of heroin use by Black Americans in cities like New York in the 1970s sparked Richard Nixon’s War of Drugs.
—Steve Bloom, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
What kind of research? Finding new cancer treatments, halting the worldwide scourge of tuberculosis, identifying environmental factors like plastics that might cause disease, or finding vaccines for the next pandemic, to name a few.
—Dr. David M. Sack, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 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
Of all the fearful diseases that scourge the human race, this ranks among those that are justly feared most.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourge
Noun
-
This mixer comes with essential attachments like a coated flat beater, coated dough hook, six-wire whip and a pouring shield.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
10 July 2025
-
The ideal KitchenAid stand mixer for beginners, this small-space friendly model comes with a coated flat beater, a coated dough hook, a six-wire whip, and a stainless steel mixing bowl.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Alabama as the nemesis, from the Blackout game to the 2012 SEC championship, to second-and-26, then finally beating Alabama after Kelee Ringo’s pick-six … only to lose twice more to the Crimson Tide.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
-
Superman’s nemesis, Lex Luthor, played with quicksilver menace by Nicholas Hoult, is now a fascist tech billionaire — the CEO of LutherCorp — who has his tentacles everywhere: in industry, the U.S. government, and foreign nations.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Perfection is a blessing and a curse for Virgo parents.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
-
Also, the fact that Ken gets cursed by a crazy old ghost actually helps Momo in her alien abduction predicament, with Momo’s newfound spiritual abilities helping to curb Ken’s curse.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Those include a string of deadly tornadoes that swept through Kentucky in May, and some of the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
10 July 2025
-
Lowering the cost of eggs, which spiked in recent years as an avian flu outbreak ravaged American flocks, was one of President Donald Trump's key campaign promises in the lead-up to the 2024 election.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Such a deal is not going to bring about North Korea’s denuclearization, of course, and Pyongyang will likely attempt to cheat by hiding some of its nuclear facilities.—
ANDREI LANKOV,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
-
Keep scrolling for more impressive Prime Day deals on hidden camera detectors hiding throughout the site, starting at $24.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
How did the woman say she was held by Wood? The shed where the woman was held was locked with chains, with bricks placed there to further confine her, while her ankle was tied down by a tow strap, according to charging documents.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
-
Polar's strap has a comfortable buckle connector and silicone dots to keep it in place.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Sailor's owner, Abigail Crouch, 24, was left feeling rather embarrassed when her adorable vigilante had to be carried out of the building by the doorman, Eric.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
-
The good news is that Japan’s debt auctions are now attracting enough demand to calm nerves — and placate the bond vigilantes.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
The incredibly convoluted and varied minimum bag limits across different airlines have been the bane of low-cost European travel since carry-on charges were first introduced in 2005 by the now-defunct Flybe airline.—
Duncan Madden,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
-
Clouds are the bane of a hurricane forecaster’s existence.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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