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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Mithril Defense The drones are part of the growing business of providing security services to the nation's thousands of K-12 schools amid the scourge of school shootings. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Measles is an old scourge that’s rapidly re-emerging as a new one. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 27 July 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

The cabbage wedge sits over a fluffy whip of tahini and labneh, all served beneath a crush of peanuts.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
The young trees, often called whips, have high stem densities.

— Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of whip

Noun

The Governors no longer are grouped with Class 5A sectional nemesis Merrillville, which has ended each of their past three seasons.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
There’s the running bit in Bait about Shah getting confused with Dev Patel, and Himesh Patel even appears as Shah’s nemesis also vying for James Bond.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of nemesis

Noun

That was a full-length movie filmed in 2004 when the Red Sox were breaking their storied curse, and included Johnny Damon and other players in cameos.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
The prince, Ashitaka, encounters a forest-dwelling young woman called San on his journey and the two become friends, teaming up to help save the forest and end his curse.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of curse

Verb

In a world that’s been ravaged by a virus, with many living on the skids, survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
During the seven years that it was occupied by British forces, Manhattan had been ravaged by fires, picked over by looters, covered in fortifications, and swollen with refugees.

— Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of ravage

Verb

Dress up your table for your next dinner party with these linen placemats, or hide away blankets, books, and other clutter in this coffee table with secret storage.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Instead, the park’s makeup team constructed prosthetic eyelashes that hide a rice-sized LED light that hangs in front of the performer’s eyes.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of hide

Noun

The Oscar winner paired a leopard-print Givenchy fall 2026 dress and the fashion house’s modern take on T-strap high heels.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Biver, Pattern Recognition, and Alex Crown, a luxury menswear label that offers bespoke watch straps.

— Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of strap

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scourge

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“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scourge. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scourge

noun

verb

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