plagues

noun

(often used with the, sometimes capitalized: the Plague) The bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium Yersinia pestis.

(pathology) An epidemic or pandemic caused by any pestilence, but specifically by the above disease.

A widespread affliction, calamity, or destructive influx, especially when seen as divine retribution.

(figurative) A grave nuisance, whatever greatly irritates.

(ornithology) A group of common grackles.

verb

(transitive) To harass, pester or annoy someone persistently or incessantly.

(transitive) To afflict with a disease or other calamity.

Roots

plagaplague- · Latin · blow, wound

Synonyms & related words for plagues

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Words related to plagues

Explore words related to plagues — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include pestilence, pest, infestation, blight, plaguing, plagued, beset, epidemics. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does plagues come from?

The word plagues breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root plague-, from Latin plaga (“blow, wound”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.