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
scourged; scourging
scourger
noun
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This scourge of political violence must end.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
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
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Noun
See video … LISTEN Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for in-depth reporting on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the scourge of political violence.
—FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This scourge of political violence must end.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
These scourged the poor harder than anyone else.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scourge. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scourge
1 of 2 noun1
2
: someone or something that is an instrument of punishment or criticism
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