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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of scourge
Emma Tucker, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
Also, addressing the scourge of antisemitism must be at the top of Dhillon’s agenda.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Dec. 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
The attack is another example of the scourge of gun violence on American campuses, with at least 78 school shootings recorded so far this year in the United States.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
Also, addressing the scourge of antisemitism must be at the top of Dhillon’s agenda.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Dec. 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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Along with Yoder becoming minority leader and Pol and Hunley retaining their roles in leadership, Senate Democrats also announced that state Sen. La Keisha Jackson of Indianapolis would become assistant caucus chair, and Sen. J.D. Ford of Indianapolis would become caucus whip.Hayleigh Colombo, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Dec. 2024
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has everything that made the Indiana Jones movies so memorable – whips, slapstick punches and even that cinema stalwart, the Wilhelm scream.Ryan Benk, NPR, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Advertisement The new footage also offers glimpses of Superman’s civilian persona, Clark Kent, bustling into the offices of the Daily Planet, as well as his colleague Lois Lane (portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan) and nemesis Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
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To add a layer, Kitty’s former nemesis and reluctant roommate Min Ho (Sang Heon Lee) confessed his feelings for her.Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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For high-achieving professionals, especially those who are naturally more sensitive and perceptive, emotional investment in work can be both a blessing and a curse.Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
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Financial Education Is Wealth The third-generation wealth curse often befalls families where younger generations, especially grandchildren, are detached from how their predecessors went about building wealth.Next Avenue, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Similar circumstances are playing out all over college football this month, with the transfer portal ravaging rosters and potential NFL prospects opting out of bowls en masse.Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
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The site of scarred lands ravaged by a decades-old territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh was once well-known for its verdant agricultural landscape.Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Yang then bemoaned how people shoot lasers at him and hide their kids.Anne McCarthy, Variety, 22 Dec. 2024
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While his mask has changed and grown smaller over the years, Peck has kept his face hidden from the public view.Joyce Orlando, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The bag comes with a zippered interior, an external pocket, and an adjustable strap to carry your belongings hands-free.Nicol Natale, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
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The timepiece is limited to 50 pieces and comes with a titanium bracelet and two straps.Sophie Furley, Robb Report, 24 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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Long and variable lead times are the bane of a manufacturing supply chain.Steve Banker, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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Hormonal acne has been the bane of my existence for several years now.Jasmine Browley, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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