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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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
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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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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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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
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2025
The World Organization for Animal Health, or WOAH, says vaccination may now be a necessary measure to control the spread of bird flu, which has moved from being a seasonal scourge for birds to becoming a year-round threat for many different species of mammals, including dairy cattle.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 26 Feb. 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
According to his lawyers, Person’s financial troubles owed to a combination of profligate spending and giving, five-figure monthly alimony payments to an ex-wife, bad investments and the scourge of high-interest loans.
—Verb
Like its American rival, the Tiger was initially intended to scourge Soviet tank battalions, but was refashioned for multi-role capabilities.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourge
Noun
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Few people know this better than Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.), the upper chamber’s highest-ranking official who served as Senate minority whip for Republicans last Congress.—
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During our call, Lee clarified that Siragusa wasn’t tweeting in between pistol whips.—
Noun
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Two Manhattan lawmakers are advancing legislation to try to block mayoral front-runner Andrew Cuomo from using taxpayer dollars to bring another lawsuit against his longtime political nemesis, New York Attorney General Letitia James.—
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Others study the human capacity for starting over; even Matt’s nemesis, the crime boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), is attempting to forge a new path as New York City’s mayor.—
Noun
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One important lesson from the movies is that curses are made to be broken.—
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Growing up, that identity crisis used to feel like such a curse for me.—
Verb
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Myanmar, which has been facing tough times since the military coup in 2021—as well as being ravaged by a recent earthquake—faces 44 percent tariffs.—
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Very loosely based on the novel The Incredible Tide by Alexander Key, Future Boy Conan deals with the titular boy Conan in a future world ravaged by the aftermath of a global war.—
Verb
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Rogers was found hiding under a bridge nearby and was arrested, authorities said.—
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Because the kitchen is visible from the living and dining areas, Allison downplayed the utilitarian stuff, tucking the stainless-steel refrigerator behind a wall and hiding the range behind the island.—
Noun
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Proenza Schouler Selena backless crepe dress $1,190 BERGDORF GOODMAN The single twisted back strap on this crepe mock-neck dress will look absolutely stunning in candids taken in sweet embrace.—
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On her shoulder are the straps of a canvas tote filled with groceries, greens on top.—
Noun
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For a character whose flagship show ended seven years ago, the blind lawyer Matt Murdock—better known as the vigilante Daredevil—has maintained a steady presence on Marvel’s roster.—
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This one has Skarsgård as Eddie, a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to Sarah (Ashley Cartwright) and petty thief whose attempt to steal a luxury SUV turns into disaster because its unseen psycho vigilante owner named William (Anthony Hopkins) has rigged it so bad things happen.—
Noun
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The result is side spin on shots hit off the toe and heel, the bane of most recreational golfers, is cut almost in half.—
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Perennials are just starting to send out new buds and shoots, lawns are starting to green, and the weeds—the bane of every gardener's existence—are really coming to life.—
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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