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
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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
Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, Time, 23 May 2025
The playoffs the only thing that matters were a scourge.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 22 May 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
Violent crime, meanwhile, is a scourge afflicting every community.
—Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, Time, 23 May 2025
The playoffs the only thing that matters were a scourge.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 22 May 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 captain, eager to crack a whip, joins the guests dressed as ringmaster, matching primary Rebecca.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
-
However, Schatz has emerged as a favorite after volunteering to pick up some of the whip’s duties in helping to manage the floor.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Carrie Coon's biggest beef on season 1 of The Gilded Age wasn't with Christine Baranski, her character's nemesis, but with her own wardrobe.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
3 June 2025
-
After hubris comes nemesis, and after the frenzied excesses of the woke revolution came Donald Trump.—
Rich Lowry,
National Review,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Christopher Walken stars as a school teacher who comes out of a coma with a gift that feels more like a terrifying curse.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
While Rory McIlroy finally broke his 11-year curse to claim the green jacket, Bradley struggled, missing the cut with a 3-over-par.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Fraser delivers a brimstone sermon worthy of a Baptist preacher at a tent revival, raging at plutocrats who ravage those with less (or nothing at all).—
Hamilton Cain,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
Injuries have ravaged Houston’s starting rotation to an almost unrecognizable state.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Though Polish presidential candidates often stand as individuals, rather than representatives of a party, there is little hiding their affiliations, and each major party historically endorses and campaigns for a candidate.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
-
Ukraine was able to smuggle drones deep into Russia by hiding them in the tops of flatbed trucks, which parked near military bases before the drones lifted off to attack planes on the runway.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Related Stories The high-gloss sandals echoed the sheen of her Western-style fringed jacket from Ferrari’s fall 2025 ready-to-wear collection, with the wraparound straps and fringe creating a cohesive sense of movement and texture.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
4 June 2025
-
The straps are plush and easy to adjust, providing comfort during extended wear.—
Donna Kim,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
The bond vigilantes of 2025 may be a rougher crowd than their predecessors in the 1990s.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Could bond vigilantes again check the Trump agenda?—
Andrew Ross Sorkin,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Compliance Check For Key Industries Ah, compliance—the bane of every CISO's existence.—
Itzik Alvas,
Forbes,
2 Dec. 2024
-
Sargassum, the stinky, slimy bane of beachgoers worldwide, returned to swarm south Florida beaches last week, as masses of the seaweed were spotted lining the shores of Miami Beach, a famous destination and beach getaway for travelers.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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