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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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of scourge
Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Dec. 2024
Blackbeard, the scourge of the seas and the Southern Colonies, was at long last dead on this day in 1718.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024
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
Even more impressive is the extent to which Netflix’s Solitude tells a dynamic story without oversimplifying García Márquez’s grand themes: politics, religion, autonomy, love, civilization and its endless parade of discontents, and of course the scourge of solitude in all its many manifestations.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Dec. 2024
Blackbeard, the scourge of the seas and the Southern Colonies, was at long last dead on this day in 1718.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024
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
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Barrasso will become the second highest-ranking Senate Republican in the next Congress after he was selected to serve as majority whip.Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2024
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The three-way race is between Sens. John Thune, the current whip; John Cornyn, a former whip; and Rick Scott, an underdog candidate.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
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In the season finale, the cat and mouse chase between the mysterious assassin the Jackal (Redmayne) and his nemesis, detective Bianca Pullman (Lynch) finally comes to a head as the duo meet face to face.K.J. Yossman, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
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Myers played both the titular character and multiple other ensemble roles, including most famously Powers’ nemesis, Dr. Evil.Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Stubborn independence is, however, a blessing and a curse.Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
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However, this long history can be both a blessing and a curse.Mike Whitmire, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Rather, there are various incidents (a fishing expedition gone awry, a mysterious object appears under the sand, a storm ravages the lighthouse).Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 14 Dec. 2024
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More news: 49ers vs Rams Expert Predictions for Thursday Night Football Week 15 The 49ers have been ravaged by injuries, and have some not-so-household names who could come up huge as the fantasy football playoffs get underway.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The women were models of courage, hiding from fighters in the mountains of Greece after World War II triggered violent civil strife in that country.Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
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This discovery highlights the unique biodiversity hidden even in the deepest parts of our ocean and how the isolation of trench environments can breed unique adaptations.Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This example of the Royal Oak Offshore ‘End of Days’ is on offer from Analog Shift, and boasts the double layered black nylon strap with velcro closure in excellent condition.Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2024
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The strap is secured with a Velcro closure, allowing for easy adjustment and a precise fit.Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But, like it or not, a narrative has taken shape, with many across the internet hailing Mangione — yet to be extradited to New York on the murder change, let alone tried and convicted for it — as a justified vigilante.Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Dec. 2024
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Prior to Ossietzky’s 1931 trial, Die Weltbühne had already faced a lawsuit over its coverage of the Schwarze Reichswehr, a right-wing paramilitary group that carried out numerous vigilante killings in the early 1920s.Longreads, Longreads, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The 49ers rushed for 131 yards and 31 carries with three touchdowns and were 5-for-6 in the red zone, an area that has been the bane of their offensive existence all season.Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024
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Drought has always been an environmental bane, increasing the occurrence of wildfires, killing vital crops, and hurting indigenous animal populations.Taylore Glynn, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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