Scourge
/skɜːrdʒ/
Definitions
2 meaningsSomething that causes great suffering or affliction.
/skɜːrdʒ/
A person or thing that causes great suffering or trouble.
War is a scourge that plagues humanity throughout history.
💡 Simply: A big problem or something that causes a lot of pain and suffering for many people. Think of it like a bad habit or a disease that spreads and hurts everyone.
👶 For kids: Something that hurts a lot of people or makes them very unhappy.
More Examples
Corruption is a scourge that undermines the trust of the citizens in their government.
The economic recession became a scourge to the businesses, causing many to close their doors.
How It's Used
"Plagues were often seen as a scourge sent by God."
"Poverty remains a scourge in many parts of the world."
"He became the scourge of the corrupt officials."
To inflict severe suffering or punishment on.
/skɜːrdʒ/
To cause great suffering or trouble to.
The dictator scourged his own people, causing widespread fear and death.
💡 Simply: To punish or cause a lot of pain or suffering to someone or something. Think of it as a bad thing that affects someone or a place, like when a storm scourges a town.
👶 For kids: To hurt someone a lot or make them very sad.
More Examples
The storm scourged the coastal towns, leaving behind devastation and damage.
The newspaper editorial scourged the government for its lack of action.
How It's Used
"The tyrant scourged his enemies relentlessly."
"The critics scourged the play for its poor writing."
"The nation was scourged by a famine that left its citizens starving."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
scourge of God
A person or event that inflicts great suffering, often perceived as divine punishment.
"Attila the Hun was seen by many as the scourge of God."
From Old French *escourge*, from Vulgar Latin *excoriāre* ('to flay'), from Latin *corium* ('skin'). The word's meaning evolved from physical punishment to something causing widespread suffering.
The term 'scourge' has a long history, often associated with punishment and suffering, especially in religious and historical contexts.
Memory tip
Think of a *surge* of suffering; a *scourge* brings sudden, painful problems.
Word Origin
"to flay or whip"