PLAGUE Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'plague' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plague are annoy , harass , harry , pester , tease , and worry . While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," plague implies a painful and persistent affliction. // plagued all her life by poverty

Q: In what contexts can 'annoy' take the place of 'plague'?

While in some cases nearly identical to plague , annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks. // you're doing that just to annoy me

Q: When would 'harass' be a good substitute for 'plague'?

The words harass and plague can be used in similar contexts, but harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power. // harassed on all sides by creditors

Q: When is it sensible to use 'harry' instead of 'plague'?

Although the words harry and plague have much in common, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment. // the strikers had been harried by thugs

Q: When might 'pester' be a better fit than 'plague'?

In some situations, the words pester and plague are roughly equivalent. However, pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks. // constantly pestered with trivial complaints

Q: When can 'tease' be used instead of 'plague'?

The words tease and plague are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath. // children teased the dog

Q: When is 'worry' a more appropriate choice than 'plague'?

While the synonyms worry and plague are close in meaning, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation. // pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

plague 1 of 2

verb

Definition of plague next

as in to afflict

to cause persistent suffering to plagued by a cough for all of last week

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plague

2 of 2

noun

ˈplāg

as in epidemic

a widespread disease resulting in a high rate of death the Black Death was a plague that killed about one third of Europe's population in the Middle Ages

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb plague contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of plague are annoy, harass, harry, pester, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

In what contexts can annoy take the place of plague?

While in some cases nearly identical to plague, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When would harass be a good substitute for plague?

The words harass and plague can be used in similar contexts, but harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When is it sensible to use harry instead of plague?

Although the words harry and plague have much in common, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When might pester be a better fit than plague?

In some situations, the words pester and plague are roughly equivalent. However, pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When can tease be used instead of plague?

The words tease and plague are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

When is worry a more appropriate choice than plague?

While the synonyms worry and plague are close in meaning, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of plague

Verb

Officials from the nonprofit said shelters for women in that part of town are plagued by long wait lists and cumbersome referral processes. —

Kale Williams, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024 Quarterfinal Matchup Preview and Predictions Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction: Bucks win 107-88 Although the Orlando Magic have been playing really good basketball this season, this team has unfortunately been plagued with injuries leading up to the quarterfinals. —

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Noun

Gangs and gun violence plague shopping plazas off Frankford Avenue and Sinclair Lane. —

Frank Gluck, Baltimore Sun, 19 Nov. 2024 Over the next few years, a plague of disorder will descend upon America, and maybe the world, shaking everything loose. —

David Brooks, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plague

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plague

Verb

The findings, published in the journal PLOS Biology, point to innovative strategies for combating a disease that afflicts millions annually.

Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The pastor asked the group to name some of the plagues that afflicted Egypt.

Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Dec. 2024