Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
scourge
The metaphorical use of this word is highly formal and carries a heavy, dramatic tone. It is typically used to describe widespread social, biological, or historical disasters—such as famine, war, or disease—rather than personal problems. Using it for a minor inconvenience would sound sarcastic or overly melodramatic.
Compared to "curse" or "plague," "scourge" emphasizes the destructive power and the perceived inevitability or persistence of the suffering. It often implies a force that "lashes" or "strikes" a population.
In its literal sense as a whip, the word is largely archaic or restricted to historical accounts and fantasy literature. In these contexts, it refers specifically to an instrument of corporal punishment, evoking images of severity and cruelty.
Meanings
Examples
War has been the scourge of humanity for millennia.
The plague was a terrible scourge that wiped out entire villages.
Drug addiction is a scourge that continues to devastate urban communities.
We must unite to end the scourge of poverty in this region.
The dark lord used a magical scourge to keep his slaves in line.
He felt the sting of the leather scourge across his back.
Corruption is the scourge of the modern political system.
I cannot believe this city has become such a scourge to the rest of the province.