scourge >> skəːdʒ
Definition: [noun] a whip used as an instrument of punishment.
Definition: [noun] a person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering.
Example: the scourge of mass unemployment
Definition: [verb] whip (someone) as a punishment.
Example: our people did scourge him severely
Definition: [verb] cause great suffering to.
Example: political methods used to scourge and oppress workers