scourge

• Существительное, обозначающее кнут, используемый для наказания, или, чаще, то, что причиняет большие страдания, несчастья или смерть, или человек, внушающий страх или ужас.

A noun referring to a whip used for punishment, or more commonly, something that causes great suffering, misery, or death, or a person who inspires fear or dread.

1. Whip for punishmentC1formal

   A whip or lash used to inflict punishment, often referenced in historical or humorous contexts.

   Плеть для наказания

   • The king's guard carried a scourge as a symbol of authority.
   • He jokingly threatened his mischievous cat with a scourge made of yarn.
   • In ancient times, a scourge was used to discipline slaves.

   Synonymsbirchcanehorsewhiplashrawhidestrapwhip

2. Cause of widespread sufferingC1formal

   Something that causes great misery, destruction, or death on a large scale.

   Бич

   • The plague was a terrible scourge that swept through medieval Europe.
   • Poverty remains a global scourge affecting millions of people.
   • War is often described as a scourge of humanity.

   Synonymsafflictionbaneblightcalamitycursepestilenceplaguewoe

   Antonymsbenefitblessingboon

3. Person who inspires fearC1formal

   A person who is a source of great fear, dread, or punishment for others.

   Бич

   • The dictator was a scourge to his own people.
   • The ruthless general became the scourge of the enemy army.
   • She was known as the scourge of dishonest politicians.

   Synonymsoppressorpersecutorterrortormentor

• Глагол, означающий причинять большие страдания или разрушения, или жестоко наказывать плетью.

A verb meaning to cause great suffering or devastation, or to whip or punish severely.

1. Punish severelyC1formal

   To criticize or punish someone very harshly, often in a public or formal way.

   Сурово наказывать

   • The journalist scoured the corrupt politician in her article.
   • The judge scoured the defendant for his reckless actions.
   • He was scoured by the committee for his unethical behavior.

   Synonymsberatecastigatechastiseexcoriatelambasterebukereprimandupbraid

2. Whip or flogC1formal

   To beat someone with a whip or lash as a form of punishment.

   Сечь или пороть

   • In ancient times, slaves were often scoured for disobedience.
   • The soldier was scoured for deserting his post.
   • The historical account describes how prisoners were scoured publicly.

   Synonymsbeatflagellatefloghorsewhiplashswitchthrashwhip

3. Cause destructionC1formal

   To cause widespread and severe damage or ruin to something.

   Опустошать

   • The plague scoured the entire region, leaving few survivors.
   • The invading army scoured the countryside, burning villages.
   • A terrible drought scoured the land, destroying all crops.

   Synonymsdespoildevastateravage

   Antonymscherishpreserveprotectspare