Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun scourge

3 senses of scourge

Sense 1
scourge, flagellum -- (a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor))
       => whip -- (an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash that is used for whipping)

Sense 2
bane, curse, scourge, nemesis -- (something causing misery or death; "the bane of my life")
       => affliction -- (a cause of great suffering and distress)

Sense 3
terror, scourge, threat -- (a person who inspires fear or dread; "he was the terror of the neighborhood")
       => person, individual, someone, somebody, mortal, soul -- (a human being; "there was too much for one person to do")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb scourge

3 senses of scourge

Sense 1
scourge -- (punish severely; excoriate)
       => punish, penalize, penalise -- (impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on; "The students were penalized for showing up late for class"; "we had to punish the dog for soiling the floor again")

Sense 2
flagellate, scourge -- (whip; "The religious fanatics flagellated themselves")
       => flog, welt, whip, lather, lash, slash, strap, trounce -- (beat severely with a whip or rod; "The teacher often flogged the students"; "The children were severely trounced")

Sense 3
lay waste to, waste, devastate, desolate, ravage, scourge -- (cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly; "The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion")
       => destroy, ruin -- (destroy completely; damage irreparably; "You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!"; "The tears ruined her make-up")