scourge

1 of 2

noun

ˈskərj How to pronounce scourge (audio)
ˈskȯrj, 
ˈsku̇rj
Synonyms of scourge
1
: whip
especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment
2
: an instrument of punishment or criticism
3
: a cause of wide or great affliction

scourge

2 of 2

verb

scourged; scourging

transitive verb

1
: flog, whip
2
a
: to punish severely
b
: afflict
c
: to drive as if by blows of a whip
d
: chastise
scourger noun

Synonyms of scourge

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of scourge in a Sentence

Noun a city ravaged by the scourge of unemployment The disease continues to be a scourge in the developing world. Verb a neighborhood scourged by crime The prisoner was scourged with a whip.
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Noun
Mithril Defense The drones are part of the growing business of providing security services to the nation's thousands of K-12 schools amid the scourge of school shootings. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Measles is an old scourge that’s rapidly re-emerging as a new one. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 27 July 2026
Verb
An expensive dollar also scourges industries that compete with imports. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026 Sylvia scourges herself with an intensity that would make hairshirted flagellants seem soft. — Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for scourge

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French escorge, from escorger to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- + corrigia thong, whip

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scourge was in the 13th century

Rhymes for scourge

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Browse Nearby Words

scourer
scourge
scourger
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Cite this Entry

“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scourge. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scourge

1 of 2 noun
ˈskərj How to pronounce scourge (audio)
1
: whip entry 2 sense 1, lash
2
: someone or something that is an instrument of punishment or criticism
3
: affliction sense 2

scourge

2 of 2 verb
scourged; scourging
1
: to whip severely : flog
2
: to cause severe suffering to : devastate

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Nglish: Translation of scourge for Spanish Speakers

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