a whip or lash, esp. for the infliction of punishment or torture.

a person or thing that applies or administers punishment or severe criticism.

a cause of affliction or calamity

Disease and famine are scourges of humanity.

to whip with a scourge; lash.

to punish, chastise, or criticize severely.

noun

advantage , benefit , blessing , boon , delight , happiness

verb

guard , protect

noun

affliction , bane , correction , curse , infliction , misfortune , penalty , pest , pestilence , punishment , terror , visitation , evil , ill , plague , woe

verb

afflict , belt , cane * , castigate , chastise , curse , discipline , excoriate , flail , flog , harass , hit , horsewhip , lambaste * , lash , penalize , plague , scathe , scorch * , tan * , terrorize , thrash , torment , trounce , wallop * , whale * , whip , agonize , anguish , excruciate , rack , smite , strike , torture , blister , drub , flay , rip into , scarify , scorch , score , slap , slash , affliction , bane , beat , epidemic , infliction , lambaste , pest , punish , punishment , switch