scourge

• Nom désignant un fouet servant à châtier ou, plus souvent, ce qui cause de grandes souffrances, des malheurs ou la mort, ou encore une personne qui inspire la crainte ou la terreur.

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.

   Fouet de punition

   • 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.

   Synonymesbirchcanehorsewhiplashrawhidestrapwhip

2. Cause of widespread sufferingC1formal

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

   Fléau (cause de souffrances généralisées)

   • 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.

   Synonymesafflictionbaneblightcalamitycursepestilenceplaguewoe

   Antonymesbenefitblessingboon

3. Person who inspires fearC1formal

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

   Personne qui inspire la terreur

   • 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.

   Synonymesoppressorpersecutorterrortormentor

• Verbe signifiant infliger de grandes souffrances ou ravages, ou punir cruellement en frappant avec un fouet.

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.

   Fustiger sévèrement

   • 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.

   Synonymesberatecastigatechastiseexcoriatelambasterebukereprimandupbraid

2. Whip or flogC1formal

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

   Fouetter

   • 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.

   Synonymesbeatflagellatefloghorsewhiplashswitchthrashwhip

3. Cause destructionC1formal

   To cause widespread and severe damage or ruin to something.

   Ravager

   • 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.

   Synonymesdespoildevastateravage

   Antonymescherishpreserveprotectspare