chasten
verb
transitive verb
2 Samuel 7: 14 (King James Version) 
Did you know?
If you say you would castigate or chastise someone in order to chasten them, you demonstrate a good knowledge of the origin of chasten—all three verbs derive from the Latin verb castigare, meaning "to punish." (Castigare combines Latin castus, which means "pure" and is the source of English chaste, with the verb agere, meaning "to lead" or "to drive.") Castigate, chastise, and chasten share the sense of "to subject to severe and often physical punishment," but all three verbs are now as likely to refer to a verbal dressing-down as to a physical lesson. Chasten (which arrived in English via Anglo-French chastier) can also be used to mean "to prune of excess, pretense, or falsity." This led to the more general sense of "to make more subdued," although the humility can be imposed by a humiliating situation as easily as by a strict taskmaster.
Synonyms
- castigate
- chastise
- correct
- discipline
- penalize
- punish
Example Sentences
New York Times, 26 May 2022 This is a player who openly embraces pressure, who wants the ball in stressful situations and who carries herself so confidently as to publicly chasten Barack Obama and Jimmy Fallon for their misguided tournament brackets. Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 2 Apr. 2022 In each of these trouble spots, President Biden’s handling of Ukraine will either chasten or embolden our adversaries, setting the tone for global power for years to come. Roger Wicker, National Review, 18 Feb. 2022 What’s missing from the picture is the threat of discovery, the dangling sword of Damocles that might chasten anyone taking so much responsibility on themselves. Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 Jan. 2022 Is that at all going to chasten more Republicans other than Mitch McConnell? NBC News, 19 Dec. 2021 Only a Trump victory will suitably chasten the many sensible and somewhat highbrow Reagan Republicans who deserted Trump for reasons ranging from outright treachery to tactical misjudgment to mere snobbery. Conrad Black, National Review, 28 Oct. 2020 The desire to chasten American frackers remains, though. The Economist, 11 June 2020 But the Victoria Woodhull who emerged like the phoenix from the ashes of her demolished life was a new and chastened person. John Strausbaugh, National Review, 8 Feb. 2020 See More Word History
alteration of obsolete English chaste to chasten, from Middle English, from Anglo-French chastier, from Latin castigare, from castus + -igare (from agere to drive) — more at act
1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
chasten
verb
chasten
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- punish
- discipline
- chastise
- fine
- penalize
- correct
- criticize
- castigate
- sentence
- convict
- assess
- impose
- condemn
- rebuke
- mulct
- levy
- reprimand
- reprove
- denounce
- dock
- charge
- wreak
- keelhaul
- damn
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- spare
- excuse
- pardon
- forfeit
- vindicate
- release
- ransom
- acquit
- absolve
- exculpate
- exonerate
- commute
- get off
- reprieve
Synonyms & Similar Words
- humiliate
- discredit
- embarrass
- humble
- shame
- dishonor
- abase
- disgrace
- demean
- debase
- insult
- confuse
- degrade
- smirch
- mortify
- rattle
- criticize
- discomfit
- take down
- disconcert
- cheapen
- ridicule
- foul
- diminish
- abash
- fluster
- lower
- minimize
- disparage
- castigate
- nonplus
- confound
- discountenance
- belittle
- reprehend
- condemn
- malign
- faze
- sink
- detract
- affront
- decry
- slander
- cry down
- depreciate
- defame
- execrate
- censure
- discount
- write off
- defile
- libel
- denounce
- reprobate
- bad-mouth
- put down
- damn
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exalt
- deify
- aggrandize
- commend
- recognize
- elevate
- cheer
- praise
- acknowledge
- cite
- honor
- applaud
- congratulate
- canonize
- celebrate
- salute
- boast
- extol
- laud
- decorate
- eulogize
- compliment
- hail
- tout
- extoll
- acclaim
- ennoble
- magnify
- glorify
- highlight
- promote
- dignify
- lift
- raise
- advance
- fete
- enshrine
- uplift
- boost
- spotlight
- idealize
- enthrone
- upgrade
- fête
- play up
- romanticize
- ensky
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of chasten are castigate, chastise, correct, discipline, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.
The synonyms castigate and chasten are sometimes interchangeable, but castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.
The meanings of chastise and chasten largely overlap; however, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.
The words correct and chasten can be used in similar contexts, but correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.
The words discipline and chasten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.
Although the words punish and chasten have much in common, punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.