scourging

(verb) punish severely; excoriate. Synonyms: scourge.

(verb) whip. Synonyms: flagellate, scourge. Example: "The religious fanatics flagellated themselves."

(verb) cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly. Synonyms: lay waste to, waste, devastate, desolate, ravage, scourge. Example: "The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion."