· a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor)

Synonym(s): flagellum

Hypernym(s): whip

· something causing misery or death; "the bane of my life"

Synonym(s): bane, curse, nemesis

Hypernym(s): affliction

· a person who inspires fear or dread; "he was the terror of the neighborhood"

Synonym(s): terror, threat

Hypernym(s): person, individual, someone, somebody, mortal, soul

· punish severely; excoriate

Hypernym(s): punish, penalize, penalise

· whip; "The religious fanatics flagellated themselves"

Synonym(s): flagellate

Hypernym(s): flog, welt, whip, lather, lash, slash, strap, trounce

· cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly; "The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion"

Synonym(s): lay_waste_to, waste, devastate, desolate, ravage

Hypernym(s): destroy, ruin