plague

About 5.86 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.
2. noun An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but especially that caused by the above disease.
3. noun A widespread affliction, calamity, or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution.

   Ten Biblical plagues over Egypt, ranging from locusts to the death of the crown prince, finally forced Pharaoh to let Moses's people go.

4. noun A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates.

   Bart is an utter plague; his pranks never cease.

5. noun A group of common grackles (a blackbird), especially when flocking to e.g. parking lots at night.
6. verb To harass, pester or annoy someone persistently or incessantly.
7. verb To afflict with a disease or other calamity.

   Natural catastrophes plagued the colonists till they abandoned the pestilent marshland.

Similar words

pestilence blight chivy beset molest provoke hassle harass chivvy harry

Often followed by

of in and the was is on had that

Word family

black death plagued plaguer plaguers plagues plaguing