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
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
-
That whip pan right there is actually about three years.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
7 June 2025
-
Castro, elected to the state Senate in 2016, is the majority caucus whip for the 103rd General Assembly, chair of the Senate Executive Committee, and a member of the Latino Caucus, according to her website biography.—
Courier-News,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 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
-
The sheer volume of deals promoted by Amazon during sales like Prime Day is a blessing and a curse.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
12 June 2025
-
No conference in major college football can match the Big 12 for parity, which is both a blessing and curse.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
6 June 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
-
The idea is simple: guests hide small rubber ducks around the ship for others to find.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
Tree rings hide a record of supernova explosions First off, Brakenridge turned to data from a range of powerful space telescopes, which have long been collecting data about the characteristics of supernovas.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 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 music also played a role in portraying the major difference between the two vigilantes.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
5 June 2025
-
Will bond vigilantes be the force that saves Chicago from the city and state politicians unwilling to restore fiscal sanity?—
Forrest Claypool,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 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 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share