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

[ Syn: flagellum ]

something causing misery or death; the bane of my life

[ Syn: bane , curse , nemesis ]

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

[ Syn: terror , threat ]

punish severely; excoriate

whip; The religious fanatics flagellated themselves

[ Syn: flagellate ]

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

[ Syn: lay waste to , waste , devastate , desolate , ravage ]