plague

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a large number of harmful insects or animals that arrive at the same time.

n. an unusually large and destructive influx or infestation of insects or animals.

“The farmers lost their entire crop after a plague of locusts hit the region.”

“The region suffered a devastating plague of rodents that contaminated the grain stores and threatened the local food supply.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to cause someone or something a lot of trouble or pain over a long time.

v. to afflict a person, place, or entity with persistent trouble, distress, or calamity.

“Injuries continued to plague the athlete throughout her professional career.”

“The administration was plagued by corruption scandals that undermined public confidence in the new legislative reforms.”

C1 · Advanced Informal

v. to annoy someone by asking them questions or bothering them constantly.

v. to pester or harass someone incessantly with questions, requests, or complaints.

“The reporters began to plague the actor with questions about his private life.”

“Persistent telemarketers continued to plague the household with unsolicited calls despite their registration on the do-not-call list.”