1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
castigated him for his constant tardiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
a newspaper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the first place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to punish
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
a judge who believes in castigating criminals to the full extent of the law
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of castigate
Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a Hawaii man's appeal of his prosecution for carrying a handgun without a license, leaving untouched a state supreme court decision that castigated its new framework for determining whether gun laws comport with the Second Amendment.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2024
Related Content Writing Prompts Hug More in The Learning Network
Word of the Day: castigate
What’s Going On in This Picture?
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
For 15 months, the terrorists watched as Israel, a democratic nation subjected to atrocities by a brutal terror organization, was castigated in international courts and demonized in the court of public opinion.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The letter similarly castigates other grantmakers chosen by the EPA, but the CJA has faced more heat as protests in the US against the war in Gaza gained momentum.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for castigate
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2024
Related Content Writing Prompts Hug More in The Learning Network
Word of the Day: castigate
What’s Going On in This Picture?
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
For 15 months, the terrorists watched as Israel, a democratic nation subjected to atrocities by a brutal terror organization, was castigated in international courts and demonized in the court of public opinion.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The letter similarly castigates other grantmakers chosen by the EPA, but the CJA has faced more heat as protests in the US against the war in Gaza gained momentum.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for castigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigate
Verb
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However, the voice resembling Smith Sr.’s goes silent for the remainder of the phone call, as Martinez continues to scold him for his actions.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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Shakira storms off Miami nightclub stage after appearing to scold clubgoer for filming up her dress The title of the tour is taken from the singer's 12th studio album, released last year and the first since 2017's El Dorado.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The case, which generated headlines around the world, comes amid rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.—
Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
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Despite losing all three, there were significant improvements collectively and individually, with contributions from attacking starlets Nico Paz, who scored against Atalanta, and Diao, who got the equaliser against Juventus.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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When failure is punished, people stop trying for fear of punishment, and progress slows to a crawl.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2025
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Trump’s punishing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China are supposed to begin tomorrow, which will raise prices even higher, bringing more pocketbook pain.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Trump and Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for U.S. aid.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Hackman was praised for his acting but the movie was fiercely criticized for appearing to whitewash history and marginalize Black characters.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
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New York Mayor Eric Adams was facing a criminal corruption case until it was suspended in February by President Trump's Justice Department, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was criticized over her handling of the wildfires which struck the city in January.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Tristan is doing a surprisingly good job at lecturing the Royal Army Veterinary Corps soldiers about taking care of mules and the like.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2025
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The hostages forum described Moses as an expert agronomist who lectured on agriculture and helped maintain the kibbutz’s community vegetable garden.—
ASSOCIATED PRESS,
TIME,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Democratic establishment’s focus on blaming Trump for those price spikes represents a stark break from its activists, who have launched a protest movement arguing that Trump is a budding dictator with no regard for the Constitution.—
Steve Peoples,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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Recently, however, doctors have started reporting more cases of iodine-deficient hypothyroidism—and our salt preferences may be at least partially to blame.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The move has sparked trade wars that could slam economic growth and lift prices for Americans still smarting from years of high inflation.—
Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
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Blizzard slams multiple states Powerful winds combined with snow to wreak havoc in parts of Iowa and Nebraska late Tuesday and Wednesday.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Castigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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