Scourge – A person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering
(Pronounced skurj)
To remember the definition of the word scourge, use the following mnemonic:
The skier had an urge (scourge) to ski into the crowd – her action caused a great deal of trouble and suffering.
Examples of scourge in a sentence
The wayward teenager was the scourge of the neighbourhood until he was sent to a young offenders' institution.
Medical research is always trying to find a cure for major scourges on human health such as cancer and Alzheimer's.
I love to see butterflies in the garden, but the caterpillars they come from are a scourge on my plants.