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

Six months prior, the Washington Examiner looked at some of the issues plaguing the District of Columbia. —

Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Jan. 2025 Following that decision, heavy crowds, long lift lines, and limited openings plagued the popular ski resort. —

Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

No sooner does this boat arrive in Germany than rats scurry everywhere and instances of plague break out. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2024 Last Voyage turns the chilling interlude into a slow-moving slasher, neither acknowledging the book’s metaphor of a ship bringing plague nor indulging in the inherent paranoia of its claustrophobic surroundings. —

Celia Mattison, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plague

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plague

Verb

Nursing homes, day cares and other places that serve people who may have weakened immune systems often use egg products for this reason. not be left out In recent years, another nasty bug has been afflicting poultry and, in turn, egg production.

Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2025
Still many have struggled with insurance coverage and storage efforts, with those working in these industries often personally afflicted themselves.

Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 10 Jan. 2025