flogging

Definitions

The act of beating someone severely with a whip or stick as a form of punishment.

The action of selling or promoting something, often aggressively or persistently.

Examples

The historical novel depicted the harsh reality of a public flogging in the town square.

He was tired of flogging a dead horse by trying to revive a project that had already been cancelled.

The captain ordered the flogging of the mutinous sailor as a warning to the rest of the crew.

Synonyms

beating whipping thrashing lashing caning fustigation flagellation

Antonyms

caressing stroking coddling pampering petting soothing comforting