scourge

/ˈskɔːrɪdʒ/

Definitions

1. noun

a person or thing that causes great suffering or harm

“The city struggled to recover from the drought, which had become a scourge of the region.”

2. verb

to subject or afflict someone or something with great suffering or harm

“The disease scourged the entire village, killing many of its inhabitants.”

Synonyms

  • affliction
  • pestilence
  • plague

Antonyms

  • blessing
  • boon