scourge of evil

USAGE SUMMARY

"scourge of evil" is a grammatically correct phrase and it can be used in written English.
It is a poetic phrase used to refer to someone or something that is causing great harm or destruction. For example: "The dictator was known as the scourge of evil, bringing ruin and destruction to many villages."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

First, he is a mighty warrior, metaphorically described as the sky smith, and the scourge of evil.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We see how Bruce Wayne Christian Balee), the compulsive loner and eccentric billionaire, has transformed himself into Batman, the scourge of evil and savior of Gotham City.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He parades himself as the impending scourge of all London evils, from terrorists who he's claimed he would personally shoot dead, to bankers and the City Corporation, which he reckons he'd have shut down, to Uber, which he declared on Wednesday he would "run out of town".

The Guardian

There are no shades of grey in Prokofiev's musical depictions of the good people of Mother Russia and the evil scourge of the German enemy.

The Guardian - Music

The poster, featuring a louche young man in sunglasses smiling smugly as he lifts one ear pad of his headphones off his baseball-capped head, is the work of a rightwing thinktank headed by Richard Berman, a man known to friends and enemies alike as "Dr Evil", a scourge of liberal politics, friend of indoor smokers and now a sworn enemy of the fight for a $15 minimum wage.

The Guardian - Business

And while that's a bit scary, it's also a good thing, given that she plays a conservative mayor's wife working to end the evil liberal scourge of rock n' roll.

Huffington Post

"The scourge of terrorism and all its attendant evils threatens all our gains achieved since 1963," he said.

The Guardian

The Soviet Union was an evil empire; Osama is evil; the axis of evil is evil.

The New Yorker

Take the "problem" of evil.

The New Yorker

(Remember the axis of evil).

The New York Times

In the pantheon of evil conjured up by Silicon Valley, middlemen sit right between stormtroopers boarding a CR90 Corellian corvette and Verizon cable representatives as a scourge that needs to be eliminated as soon as possible.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scourge of evil" when you want to evoke a powerful, almost mythical force combating wickedness. It adds a sense of gravity and importance to the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "scourge of evil" in informal or trivial situations. Its strong connotations can sound overly dramatic or out of place. Simpler terms may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"Scourge of evil" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a descriptor, identifying a person, entity, or concept that actively opposes and combats evil. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and used in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scourge of evil" is a grammatically correct, though relatively rare, noun phrase used to describe something that actively fights against evil. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. While its primary contexts are news, media, and encyclopedias, its formal tone makes it less appropriate for casual settings. Alternative phrases, such as "bane of wickedness" or "nemesis of iniquity", can provide similar meaning with subtle variations in tone. When employing "scourge of evil", ensure the context warrants its strong and somewhat dramatic connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bane of wickedness

Replaces "scourge" with "bane" and "evil" with "wickedness", maintaining a similar level of formality and intensity.

nemesis of iniquity

Employs "nemesis" instead of "scourge" and "iniquity" instead of "evil", creating a more elevated and literary tone.

plague of villainy

Substitutes "scourge" with "plague" and "evil" with "villainy", highlighting the widespread and destructive nature of evil.

destroyer of wickedness

Uses "destroyer" to emphasize the act of eliminating evil, rather than the instrument used.

curse of immorality

Replaces "scourge" with "curse" and "evil" with "immorality", focusing on the moral aspect.

purger of sin

Emphasizes the act of purification and removal of sin, a specific type of evil.

avenger against wrongdoing

Focuses on retribution for evil actions, rather than the overall elimination of evil.

combatant of sin

Highlights the active fight against evil, presenting a more dynamic image.

oppressor of malevolence

Shifts the perspective to the suppression of malevolence, emphasizing control rather than destruction.

foe of corruption

Concentrates on corruption as a specific manifestation of evil, offering a more concrete and targeted meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "scourge of evil" in a sentence?

Use "scourge of evil" to describe someone or something that actively combats or eliminates evil. For example: "The hero was known as the scourge of evil, protecting the innocent from darkness."

What are some alternatives to "scourge of evil"?

You can use alternatives like "bane of wickedness", "nemesis of iniquity", or "destroyer of wickedness" depending on the context.

What kind of tone does "scourge of evil" convey?

The phrase "scourge of evil" conveys a serious, often dramatic tone. It suggests a significant and ongoing battle against a powerful and pervasive force of negativity.

Is "scourge of evil" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "scourge of evil" isn't a very common phrase. Consider more frequent alternatives if you aim for widespread understanding and recognition. However, its uncommon nature can add impact if used appropriately.