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
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
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Recent Examples of scourge
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
No one knows who Patient Zero for this scourge is, but everybody knows its name.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Noun
Robust policing such as this to rid the streets of the scourge of these drugs, combined with coordinated efforts to get addicts into recovery and assistance post-rehab to maintain stability is a vital and valuable use of taxpayer dollars.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
No one knows who Patient Zero for this scourge is, but everybody knows its name.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
The tragedy inspired a poem by twelve-year-old Benjamin Franklin and a funeral oration by the scourging Puritan clergyman Cotton Mather.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2023
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
See All Example Sentences for scourge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourge
Noun
-
That was always the pinnacle achievement of what one man’s wits and a whip could do.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Willow whips, vines and shorter branches will not be picked up during brush collection.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Flyers steamrolled through the first three games against their long-time nemesis in Crosby and the Penguins.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The sequel revolves around journalist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) reuniting with her former nemesis editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) to save the fashion magazine.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Curse or no curse, the @nyknicks have NO BUSINESS losing this series to the @ATLHawks — no matter how good that young team is.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The home crowd in hockey can be a blessing and a curse.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An offense built on length has been ravaged by injuries and some sort of affliction that has the Mets regularly hitting the ball into the ground instead of in the air.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
National income per person had fallen from about $8,000 in 2012 to $5,000 in 2024, ravaged by inflation, corruption and sanctions.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The rookie center fielder didn’t bother to hide his delight, jumping and shouting in celebration.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Carie Hallford was sentenced to 30 years for her role in a scheme that involved hiding nearly 200 decomposing bodies.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Additionally, variations in her appearance were noted, such as the strap across her chest.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Also, Meatball’s Keystone Kops never checked to see if his DNA appeared on the strap that was used to strangle her with.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some supporters of the Wide Awakes’ rebirth have expressed hesitance about its aesthetics, especially the optics of torch-wielding vigilantes marching through the streets.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Season 2 followed Cross in pursuit of a ruthless vigilante who is hunting down corrupt billionaire magnates.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sargassum, the stinky, slimy bane of beachgoers worldwide, is forecast to swarm over Florida's beaches this summer, experts say.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Political instability has been a bane, with 32 governments taking office since 1990 and none of them completing a five-year term.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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