chastise

verb

ˈcha-ˌstīz How to pronounce chastise (audio)
Definition of chastisenext
1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings a cold, distant father who rarely paid attention to his children except to chastise them

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to punish
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime the division of opinion regarding the appropriate way to chastise juvenile perpetrators of adult crimes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word chastise distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chastise are castigate, chasten, correct, discipline, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When could castigate be used to replace chastise?

In some situations, the words castigate and chastise are roughly equivalent. However, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When can chasten be used instead of chastise?

While the synonyms chasten and chastise are close in meaning, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When might correct be a better fit than chastise?

While in some cases nearly identical to chastise, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When is discipline a more appropriate choice than chastise?

Although the words discipline and chastise have much in common, discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

In what contexts can punish take the place of chastise?

The words punish and chastise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chastise News story after news story led some in the media to chastise people who wanted to enjoy the beach that summer. —Harry Enten, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025 The most powerful country in the world, which was — for good reason — Putin’s biggest nemesis until only two months ago, is now rolling out the red carpet for him, parroting his talking points, chastising and weakening his adversaries, and blaming his victims for his offenses. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025 Last month, Trump signed a similar memorandum regarding Perkins Coie LLP, who Trump chastised for representation of clients connected to the 2016 presidential campaign and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2025 Following her frank interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pompeo faced some backlash from critics chastising her for talking so openly about her salary. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chastise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastise
  1. scold
  2. punish
  3. reprimand
  4. criticize
  5. lecture
Verb
  • The White House was reprimanded: A federal judge scolded the Trump administration for failing to try to return the man.
    — Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
  • In Congress, Trump’s Tariff Pullback Sparks Relief, Frustration, and Suspicion At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt scolded reporters for not understanding the president’s plans.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of scold
Verb
  • Detroit doesn’t just punish defensive miscues in the half court.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Of the $15 million that the jury awarded Depp, $5 million was in punitive damages aimed to punish Heard for especially reprehensible conduct.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of punish
Verb
  • Mickey Rourke was reprimanded on Celebrity Big Brother UK after using a homophobic slur toward fellow housemate JoJo Siwa.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The mom comes back and then reprimanded me for not supporting her baby’s head.
    — Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • The end of the parole program is part of Trump’s crackdown on legal immigration paths that allow people to temporarily come to the U.S. Republicans also criticized the parole program as an overreach and abuse of executive presidential power.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Progressives are criticizing tariffs for boosting prices and triggering international chaos.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Quilting group hosts lecture, workshop El Camino Quilt Guild meets at 9:30 a.m. April 8 at El Corazon Senior Center, 3302 Senior Center Drive.
    — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
  • But the club’s members didn’t lecture or advocate until 20 years after its 1876 founding.
    — Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of lecture

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chastise
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Cite this Entry

“Chastise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastise. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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