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Showing results for scourge. Search instead for scourg.
Definitions

scourge

[skurj] / skɜrdʒ /
NOUN
plague, torment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
curse pest terror
STRONG
affliction bane correction infliction misfortune penalty pestilence punishment visitation
Antonyms
STRONG
reward
WEAK
advantage benefit blessing boon delight happiness
VERB
beat, punish, often physically
Synonyms
STRONG
afflict belt cane castigate chastise curse discipline excoriate flail flog harass hit horsewhip lambaste lash penalize plague scathe scorch tan terrorize thrash torment trounce wallop whale whip
Antonyms
STRONG
aid assist comfort compliment fail forgive help laud lose please praise surrender
WEAK
guard protect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the latest numbers were "shocking" and the government "stands against the scourge of antisemitism".

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

Countries on Saturday elected Chile's COP climate summit chief negotiator to revive stalled talks on striking a landmark global treaty tackling the scourge of plastic pollution.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

Now chronic disease is on the rise, a scourge these animal lovers attribute to ultraprocessed kibble and overmedication.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

They worried it could turn into deflation, a major scourge of the economy during the Great Depression in the 1930s.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 23, 2026

Inquiry was made into the origin of the scourge, and by degrees various facts came out which excited public indignation in a high degree.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.