scourge
word
Definition
A source of great pain, suffering, or trouble, often something that harms many people over time, like disease, war, or poverty. It can also refer to a tool used for punishment in old times.
Usage & Nuances
Formal, often used in serious or dramatic contexts (e.g., 'the scourge of malaria'). Can refer to both literal (historical whip) and figurative (major problem) uses. Not common in everyday conversation but frequent in news, literature, and academic texts.
Example Sentences
Malaria was once a scourge in many tropical countries.
basic
Unemployment is a scourge of modern society.
basic
The scourge caused suffering for thousands of people.
basic
Addiction has become a real scourge in this community.
natural
For centuries, the plague was the greatest scourge Europe faced.
natural
Social media, some say, is both a blessing and a scourge these days.
natural