chastise
verb
(ˌ)cha-ˈstīz transitive verb
Did you know?
There are many words to express the infliction of a penalty in return for wrongdoing—for example, chastise, castigate, chasten, correct, discipline, and punish. Of these, chastise, chasten, and castigate share similar origins as well as similar meanings. Chastise developed as an altered form of chasten, which comes from the Anglo-French chastier, which has its roots in the Latin verb castigare, which also gave English the word castigate.
Synonyms
- baste
- bawl out
- berate
- call down
- castigate
- 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
Example Sentences
Annie Gowen, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Sep. 2022 The couple’s conclusions prompted Griffin to chastise his own clerk, Robyn Holmes, a Republican who has thirty years of experience running elections in the county. Annie Gowen, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 Although the plaintiff in Ricard v. USD 475 was a teacher, Judge Teeter went out of her way to chastise the school’s intrusion on parental rights. Michael Toth, WSJ, 27 July 2022 Or does one chastise and ostracize golfers for selling out to a tour where the financial backing for their events comes from a country with an abysmal human rights record? Patrick Rishe, Forbes, 9 June 2022 In such a situation, a harshly self-critical parent may punish or chastise the child while a compassionate parent might validate the child’s feelings and try to support her. Mark Travers, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022 Inside, after the board cut public comment early by one hour in order to rush a vote, a trans woman interrupted to chastise the board. Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022 European policymakers are also implementing or considering windfall taxes on energy companies to chastise them for not doing enough to make more oil and gas available. Tim Mcdonnell, Quartz, 29 July 2022 China won't publicly chastise the Saudis for murdering a journalist, as Biden did. Frida Ghitis, CNN, 16 July 2022 See More Word History
Middle English chastisen, alteration of chasten — see chasten
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
chastise
verb
chastise
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- scold
- reprimand
- criticize
- lecture
- berate
- blame
- admonish
- upbraid
- castigate
- rebuke
- lambaste
- lambast
- flay
- chide
- rag
- bawl out
- call down
- reproach
- attack
- mock
- keelhaul
- dress down
- fault
- lay into
- chew out
- rate
- condemn
- jaw
- baste
- excoriate
- hammer
- crucify
- score
- denounce
- tongue-lash
- revile
- assail
- ream (out)
- disparage
- read the riot act (to)
- slam
- take to task
- harangue
- vituperate
- rail (at or against)
- rant (at)
- reprove
- belittle
- lash
- censure
- reprehend
- ridicule
- knock
- bad-mouth
- diss
- abuse
- scourge
- pan
- scoff
- blast
- scorn
- remonstrate (with)
- dis
- lace (into)
- put down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approve
- endorse
- sanction
- indorse
- laud
- praise
- extol
- extoll
Synonyms & Similar Words
- punish
- penalize
- criticize
- fine
- discipline
- castigate
- correct
- chasten
- sentence
- assess
- condemn
- convict
- impose
- denounce
- reprimand
- rebuke
- levy
- charge
- dock
- mulct
- damn
- wreak
- reprove
- keelhaul
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- excuse
- spare
- pardon
- forfeit
- release
- exonerate
- vindicate
- absolve
- ransom
- exculpate
- acquit
- commute
- get off
- reprieve
Synonym Chooser
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.
In some situations, the words castigate and chastise are roughly equivalent. However, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.
While the synonyms chasten and chastise are close in meaning, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.
While in some cases nearly identical to chastise, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.
Although the words discipline and chastise have much in common, discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.
The words punish and chastise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.