<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>a whip or lash, especially for the infliction of punishment or torture.</li><li>a person or thing that applies or administers punishment or severe criticism.</li><li>a cause of affliction or calamity: Disease and famine are scourges of humanity.</li><li>Synonyms: bane, plague.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object):</strong></p><ul><li>scourged, scourging.</li><li>to whip with a scourge; lash.</li><li>to punish, chastise, or criticize severely.</li><li>Synonyms: castigate, correct.</li></ul>