SCOURGE Synonyms: 211 Similar and Opposite Words

scourge 1 of 2

noun

ˈskərj

Definition of scourge

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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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

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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scourge

2 of 2

verb

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

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scourge

Noun

The scourge of Steve Spurrier Spurrier took too many verbal jabs to list here and took special glee in beating the Dawgs, never forgiving them for beating his Florida Gators in his 1966 senior season, ruining their SEC championship hopes. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 The first is that the scourge of terrorism has been a horrible piece of our history for the past, really, 50 years. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Sylvia scourges herself with an intensity that would make hairshirted flagellants seem soft. — Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for scourge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scourge

Noun

Majority whip Tom Emmer joins us as Republicans fight to keep control of the House.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Flanagan’s customary whip pans are here to surprise us with characters lurking outside the frame, but this isn’t a story with many external supernatural threats, and tension doesn’t build.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of whip

Noun

After a big road win against longtime nemesis Oregon, video posted online showed Chesney delivering a fiery speech to his team in the tunnel before facing the Ducks.

— Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
But Bond’s most enduring nemesis has nothing to do with Blofeld’s white cat.

— Luka Ladan, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of nemesis

Noun

For their version, which follows a young teen boy (Bean Reid’s Sam) who works to find his missing brother in a town haunted by an evil crop curse, the answer was pumpkin guts.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
The money, which added up to many millions in today’s dollars, was a blessing and a curse.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of curse

Verb

Swarms of police officers and ambulances racing to the grounds of a school ravaged by gunfire has become a familiar scene, and one that represents only the beginning of incalculable pain, loss and trauma.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
For more than 50 years, the house remained vacant, was ravaged by fire, and fell into complete disrepair.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of ravage

Noun

Travel and tech accessories include a multi zip case, passport sleeve, double zip wash bag, small laptop case, large flat card holder, key ring with leather strap, and sunglasses case.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Most examples were produced with 18-karat rose- or pink-gold cases, engraved 18-karat white-gold mainplates, and leather straps.

— Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of strap

Noun

As the group of masked vigilantes approached, several members beat Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine, who was hospitalized for her injuries.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Of late, vigilantes have been rearing their heads in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

— RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of vigilante

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“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scourge

noun

verb

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