- scourge⇄noun 1. a whip; lash.
2. any means of punishment.
3. (Figurative.) some thing or person that causes great trouble or misfortune, such as an outbreak of disease or a war.
Ex. Malaria, an old scourge, is now confined to the far jungles - scourge⇄scourge, noun, verb, scourged,scourging.
- scourge⇄v.t. 1. to punish severely; whip; flog; chastise.
Ex. the waves ... scourged with the wind's invisible tyranny (Shelley).
2. (Figurative.) to trouble very much; afflict; torment.