castigate

verb

cas·ti·gate ˈka-stə-ˌgāt How to pronounce castigate (audio)

castigated; castigating

transitive verb

: to subject to severe punishment, reproof, or criticism

The judge castigated the lawyers for their lack of preparation.

castigation

ˌka-stə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce castigate (audio)

noun

castigator

ˈka-stə-ˌgā-tər How to pronounce castigate (audio)

noun

Did you know?

Castigate has a synonym in chastise. Both verbs mean to punish or to censure someone. Fittingly, both words derive from the same root: the Latin castigare, formed from the words for "pure" (castus) and "to drive" (agere). (Castus also gave us the noun caste, meaning "social class or rank.") Another verb derived from castigare is chasten, which can also mean "to discipline by punishment" but more commonly means "to subdue or make humble" (as in "chastened by his foolish error"). Castigate is the youngest of the three verbs in English, dating from the early 17th century, while chasten dates to the early 16th century and chastise has been found in use as far back as the 14th.

Example Sentences

The author castigated the prime minister as an ineffective leader. castigated him for his constant tardiness

Recent Examples on the Web The characters in the movie also take time to castigate others who don't use correct language.

Angie Orellana Hernandez, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 Royal experts tend to castigate Meghan and Prince Harry for not following the rules, speaking out of turn, and widening the family rift.

Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2022 Carlson is primed to castigate the mainstream press—how many Fox anchors have made a living doing just that?—but that political dynamic isn’t coded the same way in Brazil.

Andre Pagliarini, The New Republic, 1 July 2022 Opponents say Campbell is not progressive enough and castigate her for not pledging to keep super PAC money out of the election.

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 July 2022 Since Johnson, though, Republicans have largely been able to castigate Democrats as weak.

Bill Donahue, Washington Post, 20 June 2022 Democrats would castigate Republicans for their opposition.

New York Times, 25 May 2022 Gaetz reportedly stood up to castigate McCarthy, but most attendees responded to his speech with a standing ovation.

Grayson Quay, The Week, 27 Apr. 2022 Putin, in turn, may use the embarassing parade to castigate military leaders, demanding reform.

Craig Hooper, Forbes, 2 May 2022 See More

单词	castigation
释义	castigate verb cas·ti·gate ˈka-stə-ˌgāt castigated; castigating transitive verb : to subject to severe punishment, reproof, or criticism The judge castigated the lawyers for their lack of preparation. castigation ˌka-stə-ˈgā-shən noun castigator ˈka-stə-ˌgā-tər noun Did you know? Castigate has a synonym in chastise. Both verbs mean to punish or to censure someone. Fittingly, both words derive from the same root: the Latin castigare, formed from the words for "pure" (castus) and "to drive" (agere). (Castus also gave us the noun caste, meaning "social class or rank.") Another verb derived from castigare is chasten, which can also mean "to discipline by punishment" but more commonly means "to subdue or make humble" (as in "chastened by his foolish error"). Castigate is the youngest of the three verbs in English, dating from the early 17th century, while chasten dates to the early 16th century and chastise has been found in use as far back as the 14th. Synonyms baste bawl out berate call down chastise chew out dress down flay hammer jaw keelhaul lambaste lambast lecture rag rail (at or against) rant (at) rate ream (out) rebuke reprimand reproach scold score tongue-lash upbraid See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences The author castigated the prime minister as an ineffective leader. castigated him for his constant tardiness Recent Examples on the Web The characters in the movie also take time to castigate others who don't use correct language. Angie Orellana Hernandez, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2022 Royal experts tend to castigate Meghan and Prince Harry for not following the rules, speaking out of turn, and widening the family rift. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2022 Carlson is primed to castigate the mainstream press—how many Fox anchors have made a living doing just that?—but that political dynamic isn’t coded the same way in Brazil. Andre Pagliarini, The New Republic, 1 July 2022 Opponents say Campbell is not progressive enough and castigate her for not pledging to keep super PAC money out of the election. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 July 2022 Since Johnson, though, Republicans have largely been able to castigate Democrats as weak. Bill Donahue, Washington Post, 20 June 2022 Democrats would castigate Republicans for their opposition. New York Times, 25 May 2022 Gaetz reportedly stood up to castigate McCarthy, but most attendees responded to his speech with a standing ovation. Grayson Quay, The Week, 27 Apr. 2022 Putin, in turn, may use the embarassing parade to castigate military leaders, demanding reform. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 2 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology Latin castigatus, past participle of castigare — more at chasten First Known Use 1606, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition castigate verb cas·ti·gate ˈka-stə-ˌgāt castigated; castigating : to punish or criticize harshly castigation noun as in punishment suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense the loss of his father's trust was the harshest castigation that the boy could have possibly received for having told the lie Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance punishment wrath penalty chastisement comeuppance discipline condemnation correction sentence retribution reprimand retaliation criticism reprisal assessment nemesis censure vengeance denouncement revenge rebuke example desert(s) fine imprisonment reproof damnation confinement mulct incarceration charge Antonyms & Near Antonyms vindication pardon indemnity acquittal parole exoneration amnesty exemption immunity impunity exculpation release absolution reprieve commutation disregard forgiveness remission condonation remitment overlooking See More
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castigate

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

verb

noun