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
David W. Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
The New York Yankees have been slammed by an injury scourge this spring.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 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 hazing continues despite the fact that most states have laws making hazing a crime and every major college and university and every major fraternity and sorority prohibits it.
—David W. Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
The New York Yankees have been slammed by an injury scourge this spring.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 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
-
The whip of a one-handed backhand complementing two lightning bolts, in his serve and his forehand.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
My go-to Starbucks order is a nonfat mocha latte, no whip.—
Perrie Samotin,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Once a nemesis of Trump, Bezos has sought to curry favor with the new administration and donated big bucks to his inauguration committee along with other Big Tech moguls.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The Hogwarts student, who reigned supreme at Slytherin House, was the arch nemesis of Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his two best friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson).—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
After turning undead and hiding her bite wound, Mary easily gets permission to re-enter the building, and quickly seduces Stack, before murdering him and infecting him with the vampire curse.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
And a deadly curse that turns their reality into a waking nightmare.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Four months ago, in the weeks after the devastating wildfires that ravaged Pacific Palisades, Roberts received a message from a friend involved with the Palisades Charter High School baseball team, inviting him to speak at one of their preseason practices.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Other crags—like Elephant Knob in the Sierras, and parts of Cochiti Mesa, New Mexico—are permanently unclimbable, even decades after the fires ravaged the area.—
Hannah Provost,
Outside Online,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Liv is forced to break up with her human fiancé, Major (Robert Buckley) to avoid infecting him, and becomes estranged from her best friend and roommate Peyton (Aly Michalka), hiding her new zombie nature from both.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Unfortunately, the cause of the odor is often hidden.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In the entryway leading into the jail, guards put him in a restraint chair and fastened the straps, the complaint says.—
Julia Marnin,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Enter this stylish one-piece featuring a functional one-shoulder silhouette, complete with an adjustable, detachable strap for customizable support or a strapless look.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
So there's going to be people, vigilantes, superheroes that are involved in that.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Just as Matt realizes one of the officers killed White Tiger (Kamar de los Reyes), a grenade is launched through the window, and the two vigilantes painfully jump down to the street.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Charging my Apple Watch every day is the bane of my existence, and despite years of efforts to improve it, the closest that Apple has come is to launch … fast charging?—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
24 Apr. 2025
-
My stomach had always been the bane of my body image struggles, and that loathing didn’t magically disappear as my uterus expanded to accommodate an undeniably miraculous addition.—
Michelle Konstantinovsky,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share