1
: whip
especially
: one used to inflict pain or punishment
2
: an instrument of punishment or criticism
3
: a cause of wide or great affliction
scourged; scourging
scourger
noun
Synonyms
Examples of scourge in a Sentence
Noun
a city ravaged by the scourge of unemployment
The disease continues to be a scourge in the developing world.
Verb
a neighborhood scourged by crime
The prisoner was scourged with a whip.
Recent Examples on the Web
Zak Doffman, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
This is a President who has taken dozens of executive actions to counter the scourge of gun violence, established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention – overseen by the Vice President, and signed the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years.
—Mike Allen, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024
Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024
Social instability and post-pandemic economic pressures fueled surges in migration across the world.
2023 will probably be the hottest year on record, with heat waves scourging every continent, accompanied by other extreme climactic events.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for scourge 
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Noun
This addresses the current scourge of calls purporting to be from banks and other institutions, pretending to warn of an impending fraudulent transaction and then helping users move their money to safety.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
This is a President who has taken dozens of executive actions to counter the scourge of gun violence, established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention – overseen by the Vice President, and signed the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years.
—Mike Allen, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024
Verb
Sylvia scourges herself with an intensity that would make hairshirted flagellants seem soft.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024
Social instability and post-pandemic economic pressures fueled surges in migration across the world.
2023 will probably be the hottest year on record, with heat waves scourging every continent, accompanied by other extreme climactic events.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for scourge
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Dictionary Entries Near scourge
Cite this Entry
“Scourge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scourge. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scourge
1 of 2 noun1
2
: someone or something that is an instrument of punishment or criticism
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