scourge

1. CountableUsually singular

   something or someone that causes severe affliction or widespread devastation.

   • War, poverty, and disease are the scourges of human society.

   • Internet scams have become a major scourge of modern society.

   • The company has been plagued by the scourge of mismanagement.

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afflict

1. Transitive

   to inflict severe suffering, widespread devastation, or affliction upon something or someone.

   • The severe drought has scourged the region.

   • Corruption has scourged that nation.

   • The city is scourged by serious crime problems.

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