scourge Definition
scourge (skʉrj)
noun
- a whip or other instrument for flogging
- any means of inflicting severe punishment, suffering, or vengeance
- any cause of serious trouble or affliction the scourge of war
Etymology: ME < OFr escorgie < L ex, off, from + corrigia, a strap, whip
transitive verb scourged, scourg′·ing
- to whip or flog
- to punish, chastise, or afflict severely
scourge Synonyms
scourge Synonyms
scourge Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- trafficking: His country was also encouraged by the attention being given to the scourge of illicit trafficking in small arms.
- terrorism: The scourge of global terrorism requires the strength of a global response.
- unemployment: Mr Reid said: " The New Deal has made major strides to reduce the scourge of unemployment.
- war: In the year 1800 the scourge of war, with famine in its wake, was raging over Europe.
- poverty: We're just asking that they play their part in removing the scourge of fuel poverty from some of Scotland's most vulnerable households.
- establishment: Lacey became the scourge of the very establishment he was a prominent member of.
Object
scene: Answer: I thought the scourging scene was too long.
Converse of object
- eradicate: We will engage other nations to join in accelerating our efforts to finally eradicate this scourge.
- combat: To combat the scourge of terrorism Member States have also agreed to expand the role of the European Union.
- tackle: For the second Bank Holiday running, police are mounting an operation across the county to tackle the scourge of drunken violence.
- eliminate: The nations of the world are banding together to eliminate the terrorism scourge.
- fight: With three levels of protection available to suit your needs, Secure Mail is the solution you need to fight the scourge of spam!
- defeat: It will require a team effort to defeat the scourge of terrorism.
Adjective modifier
- terrible: Mr Maclean said: " Stalking is a menace to society and a terrible scourge to the lives of victims.
- twin: But these pubs are under threat from the twin scourges of red tape and rising costs.
- ancient: By teaming up with top research institutes, ORBIS is working to eliminate this ancient scourge which has blinded people for centuries.
- global: The Conference succeeded in placing the issue - which the Secretary-General has called a " global scourge " - on the international agenda.
- modern: Waste ( not ) by Ethical Consumer Waste is a modern scourge.
- major: In Africa, illicit trafficking in small and light arms had become a major scourge.
Modifying Another Word
cruelly: When Alaric sacked Rome, Marcella was cruelly scourged as the Goths thought that she had hidden her wealth.
Browse dictionary entries near scourge
- ‹ scour
- ‹ scoundrel
- ‹ Scotus
- ‹ Scotty
- ‹ Scottsdale
- ‹ Scottish terrier
- ‹ Scottish rite
- ‹ Scottish Metrical Psalms
- ‹ Scottish Gaelic
- ‹ Scottish fold
- scouring powder ›
- scouring rush ›
- scourings ›
- scouse ›
- scout ›
- scout car ›
- scoutcraft ›
- scouting ›
- scoutmaster ›
- scow ›

