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
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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
Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Although confronting the scourge of anti-Asian violence has long been a priority for Asian American scholars and activists, their insights have too often been ignored or minimized by policymakers, educators, and journalists.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 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
Is there any hope that one person or more can make a difference in this scourge?
—Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Although confronting the scourge of anti-Asian violence has long been a priority for Asian American scholars and activists, their insights have too often been ignored or minimized by policymakers, educators, and journalists.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 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
-
Johnson is one of two majority whips.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The character was meant to be this character who occasionally would come down from his office and whip people into shape.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yet its nemesis is always within reach.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Although state legislative races rarely get the national spotlight, Democrats across the country were positively euphoric at the irony of their Republican nemesis being represented by one of their own.—
BILL BARROW,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the beginning of her music career, Jordan was (rightfully) hailed as a prodigy—a blessing and a curse.—
Grace Robins-Somerville,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Meeting Rachel’s parents and getting that backstory leads her into discovering this family curse.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Dallas Stars have added some extra support, as injuries continue to ravage their forward group.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Those playoff hopes are gone, with the Panthers all but mathematically eliminated from postseason contention as injuries ravaged their roster and kept them on the outside looking in of the playoff picture all season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Controversial school policies hiding students’ gender transitions from parents remains a ripe issue the Supreme Court should take up, activists argue, despite the justices already handing parents a win in an emergency docket case on the matter earlier this month.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
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But her lover, the increasingly controlling and unhinged army corporal Don José, is gradually dimished to lurking in the shadows and hiding in crowds.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This black version with its delicate ankle strap and front detailing proves otherwise.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The crossbody strap is also adjustable to ensure the most comfortable fit.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Vigilante groups under scrutiny On the increase since 2023, vigilante groups like the Jean Denis Coalition are increasingly coming under scrutiny.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Around 2023, vigilante groups began to emerge in the Caribbean nation to strike back against gangs sucking the life from Haiti.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Elias Lindholm took an offensive zone tripping penalty – O-zone stick fouls have been the bane of the B’s season – and the Sabres cashed in on the power play.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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