scourge

[ skurj ]

noun

1. a whip or lash, especially for the infliction of punishment or torture.
2. a person or thing that applies or administers punishment or severe criticism.
3. a cause of affliction or calamity:

   Disease and famine are scourges of humanity.

   Synonyms: bane, plague

verb (used with object)

, scourged, scourg·ing.

1. to whip with a scourge; lash.
2. to punish, chastise, or criticize severely.

   Synonyms: castigate, correct

scourge

/ skɜːdʒ /

noun

1. a person who harasses, punishes, or causes destruction
2. a means of inflicting punishment or suffering
3. a whip used for inflicting punishment or torture

verb

1. to whip; flog
2. to punish severely

Derived Forms

• ˈscourger, noun

Other Words From

• scourger noun
• scourging·ly adverb
• self-scourging adjective
• un·scourged adjective
• un·scourging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scourge¹

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French escorge, derivative of escorgier to whip < Vulgar Latin *excorrigiāre, derivative of Latin corrigia thong, whip ( ex- ¹ ); (v.) Middle English < Old French escorgier

Word History and Origins

Origin of scourge¹

C13: from Anglo-French escorge, from Old French escorgier (unattested) to lash, from es- ex- ¹+ Latin corrigia whip

Example Sentences

The concept behind social security is not simply to provide relief to the needy, but also to maintain America’s overall economic viability by providing a floor to the health scourge known as poverty.

From Salon

Hollywood isn’t the only place where politicians have moved to stem a Silly String scourge.

From Los Angeles Times

The tiny flies are often encountered on mild, damp summer evenings, and are the scourge of campers and hillwalkers.

From BBC

"Poor access to screening, and the scourge of HIV, which has been ravaging most parts of sub-Saharan Africa, have worsened the situation," he says.

From BBC

He compared the scourge of abuse to the slaughter of children by King Herod.

From BBC