plagued 1 of 2

adjective

as in tormented

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plagued

2 of 2

verb

past tense of plague
as in afflicted
to cause persistent suffering to plagued by a cough for all of last week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plagued
Verb
Silva served as Stockton’s mayor from 2013 to 2017, a term that was plagued by scandal. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 The measurements auto-populate the quote, eliminating the transcription errors and ruler mistakes that have plagued the industry for decades. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 July 2026 Andrew Harnik | Getty Images A rocky start The anniversary rollout has also been plagued by problems on the ground. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 3 July 2026 Throughout Saturday night, dangerously hot conditions plagued the area with heat index values up to around 105 degrees. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 Now fully healthy after knee injuries plagued his rookie season, Thiero’s versatility in summer league could potentially translate to regular-season minutes. — Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 Aside from the peeling of the waterproof coating, the reflecting pool has been plagued by an algae bloom, a persistent problem due to Washington’s high heat during the summer and the pool’s shallow depth, which creates an ideal biological incubator. — Philip Wang, Time, 6 July 2026 Reflecting pool still making waves The saga of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday is getting murkier than the water that has long plagued the iconic landmark. — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 29 June 2026 In March, the IGAC filed an audit against the museum after taking note of rising tensions that have plagued the institution since Costa’s appointment in 2022. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plagued
  1. frustrated
  2. afflicted
  3. aggravated
  4. persecuted
  5. tortured
  6. besieged
  7. tested
  8. cursed
Adjective
  • Djokovic became so frustrated that he was given a code violation warning for smashing a racket, before eventually hauling himself over the line.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Keli Gonzalez, a painter the museum commissioned, became frustrated by the lack of female representation.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of frustrated
Verb
  • Jude, meanwhile, was shifting from tossing cones to tugging at his ears, afflicted with the same malady that had landed several of the toddlers on the room’s version of the injury list.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • They are both afflicted by cognitive and/or hearing issues.
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026
Definition of afflicted
Adjective
  • The individuals have been charged with one or a combination of offenses including simple assault, conspiracy, theft, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, aggravated assault, riot and others.
    — Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
  • Under federal immigration law, second‑degree bail jumping is classified as an aggravated felony, a designation that generally bars lawful permanent residents from seeking cancellation of removal and most other forms of relief.
    — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Definition of aggravated
Verb
  • The Washington Principles also recognize that many sales of artwork by Jews during the Nazi era occurred while they were being persecuted, or under duress.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026
  • Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have been persecuted.
    — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of persecuted
Adjective
  • It’s held together beautifully by Bailey, who’s easy to root for as the tortured protagonist, and, as one half (along with her sister) of the musical duo Chloe x Halle, knows a thing or two about the musician’s plight.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 26 June 2026
  • Superman pops in for a couple of cute scenes along the way, while another DC side character, the alien and bounty hunter Lobo (Jason Momoa), appears as a tortured bit of universe-building.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026
Definition of tortured
Verb
  • Boston was besieged by the Tartan Army.
    — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 28 June 2026
  • In the adjacent room, the Shapiro team was equally besieged.
    — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
Definition of besieged
Adjective
  • But summer back in New York, amid the fug of the city, requires a return to a tested and true formula.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 June 2025
  • The End Kidney Deaths Act finally offers a tested and reasonable solution.
    — Lindsay Gutierrez, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
Definition of tested
Verb
  • The pseudonymous title character, a depressed, drunken, belligerent twenty-six-year-old advice columnist, has no real hardships of his own and is cursed by doubt.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 1 July 2026
  • Unlike Tithonus, cursed to age forever, electoral rules can and should be renewed.
    — Peter Gosselin, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of cursed

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Cite this Entry

“Plagued.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plagued. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of plagued for Spanish Speakers

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