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to plague

to plague

121 5.6
To cause constant trouble and suffering to people and things
  • verb
  • /pleɪg/
translation icon : atormentar
  • From its independence in 1946, the Philippines has been plagued by internal security problems.
  • plagued by problems
  • plagued by issues
  • continue to plague

A question has plagued my mind for years.

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Examples

  • So many people are, are plagued by anxiety.

  • There is widespread consensus across party lines regarding the major problems plaguing the U.S. health care system.

    Academic text (2008)
  • And that feels to me the core of the issues that plague us right now.

  • A question has plagued my mind for years.

  • We are going to talk about a problem that is plaguing this globe.

  • We're in Southern California, which is constantly plagued by drought.

  • Social isolation and loneliness frequently plague the elderly and produce the feeling that one's life is superfluous.

    Academic text (1999)
  • This sort of disagreement has long plagued couples throughout the ages.

  • Since the end of the war, I have been plagued by recurring daydreams of war.

  • The worries about the future continue to plague her thoughts every night.

Synonyms

to harass
vsto plague
302 4.0

Annoy someone again and again to make them feel worried or uncomfortable

applies to causing ongoing serious suffering or broader lasting harm
to torment
vsto plague
  • NSFW
107 7.2

To cause someone to feel great physical or mental pain

covers long term serious trouble or annoyance rather than extreme pain
to trouble
vsto plague
99 4.8

To make someone feel sick or have pain in the body

focuses on long lasting widespread harm beyond mainly physical illness
to infest
vsto plague
85 4.4

To be full of insects or small animals that cause harm

describes causing continuous harm or suffering not limited to infestations
to afflict
vsto plague
71 6.0

Cause pain or trouble to people, animals and places

focuses on persistent, widespread harm rather than direct bodily pain
to hassle
vsto plague
47 4.4

To bother someone again and again

refers to more serious or sustained harm rather than minor annoyances
to blight
vsto plague
15 7.6

To damage plants or a town's growth so it fails

means causing ongoing suffering or trouble more generally rather than ruin
to beset
vsto plague
15 7.9

To surround and cause repeated problems for someone or something

means to inflict long lasting suffering or trouble rather than surround
to molest
vsto plague
  • Offensive
12 8.4

Annoy or disturb someone repeatedly

refers to continuous serious harm or trouble rather than specific harassment
to harry
vsto plague
3 7.6

To bother someone again and again so they feel upset or tired

is about causing prolonged suffering or serious trouble rather than pressure
to cursed with
vsto plague
3 7.4

To have something bad or unwanted that causes problems

is an action that actively causes ongoing suffering rather than a state
to bedevil
vsto plague
2 8.2

Cause ongoing trouble and confusion for people or things

creates continual serious harm or suffering rather than just confusion

Antonyms

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

34 2.0

Save people or places from danger

Compounds

bubonic plague
  • Specialized
11 6.7

A serious disease that spreads and causes fever and painful swollen glands

4 6.4

A severe disease in the Middle Ages that spread across Europe and killed millions

pneumonic plague
  • Specialized
1 9.2

A serious lung infection that spreads between people through the air

white plague
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A lung disease that makes the body thin and often causes death

cattle plague
  • Archaic
8.8

A very contagious disease of cattle that usually kills them with fever and severe diarrhea

ambulant plague
  • Archaic
9.6

A mild form of plague that allows the sick person to move and shows only light symptoms

8.9

A mild form of plague in which a person can still walk

glandular plague
  • Specialized
9.9

A common illness that causes fever and painful swollen glands in the armpits or groin

pulmonic plague
  • Specialized
8.9

A fast, often deadly lung infection that spreads through the air between people

plague pneumonia
  • Specialized
8.6

A severe lung infection caused by bacteria that spreads through the air and often kills people

plague rat
  • Offensive
9.9

An insulting word for a person people think is dishonest or harmful

plague spot
  • Archaic
9.9

A dark, painful skin spot that shows a person has the plague

septicemic plague
  • Specialized
9.9

A very dangerous illness when bacteria enter the blood and do not spread between people, often deadly without antibiotics

tin plague
  • Specialized
9.9

White tin turns into a brittle grey powder in very cold temperatures

9.9

A strong need to use heroin or morphine that is very hard to stop

How Troubled

to torment
  • NSFW
107 7.2
to plague
121 5.6
to bother
1.0
to annoy
246 1.0

Surface Forms

plague infinitive
plagued past
plagued past participle
plaguing present participle
plagues third person singular

Etymology

Plague as a verb keeps the old idea from Latin plaga 'a blow' and means to keep causing trouble or suffering. In other words, to plague someone is to hit them again and again with problems.