1.
to torment, to beat up, to punish severely
To inflict repeated or severe physical or emotional pain on someone. Can refer to physical violence, harsh treatment, or causing great suffering.
弱い者を痛めつける。
To torment the weak.
相手チームを痛めつけて大勝した。
We trounced the opposing team and won by a large margin.
台風が町を痛めつけ、多くの家が被害を受けた。
The typhoon battered the town and many houses were damaged.
USAGE:
An intensified form of 痛める (to hurt, to damage). The ～つける ending adds the nuance of doing something forcefully and thoroughly. Can be used for physical violence, but also extends to non-human subjects like storms or economic hardship. In sports contexts, it means to inflict a heavy defeat.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 相手を痛めつける: to beat up one's opponent
- ひどく痛めつける: to torment severely
- 散々痛めつける: to beat up thoroughly