castigate

verb

ˈka-stə-ˌgāt How to pronounce castigate (audio)
Definition of castigatenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word castigate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of castigate are chasten, chastise, correct, discipline, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When is chasten a more appropriate choice than castigate?

The words chasten and castigate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When is it sensible to use chastise instead of castigate?

While in some cases nearly identical to castigate, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

In what contexts can correct take the place of castigate?

The meanings of correct and castigate largely overlap; however, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Where would discipline be a reasonable alternative to castigate?

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

parents must discipline their children

When might punish be a better fit than castigate?

The synonyms punish and castigate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 castigate In a sizzling dissent for the court's three liberals, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson castigated the majority for diminishing not just individual religious rights, but the power of Congress to legislate. — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 23 June 2026 Beatty's legal team on Friday castigated the Kennedy Center for leaving the tarp up. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 20 June 2026 Opponents Venezuela were booed and castigated, not least during a penalty shootout to decide the winners after a 0-0 friendly draw. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 10 June 2026 Labor advocacy groups also castigated the governor’s decision Friday afternoon. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for castigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigate
  1. scold
  2. attack
  3. punish
  4. criticize
  5. slam
  6. lecture
  7. insult
  8. reprimand
Verb
  • Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • In Iran, Afghans have been attacked by mobs and baselessly accused of collaborating with Israel; some legal residents have had police tear up their documents in front of them.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of the town of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a body.
    — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • If, as Jimmy Connors has said, tennis is boxing at ninety feet—a lonely battle of wills that punishes the slightest lapse in concentration—Eala’s southpaw forehand drives resemble Pacquiao’s blazing left hooks.
    — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of punish
Verb
  • The move came days after Stephens publicly criticized EMCC and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference leadership over changes to the league’s football schedule and playoff format.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Kenzie Annis clam-slammed her way into Love Island fans’ hearts during season eight of the reality dating show and would love the chance to do it again on Dancing With the Stars.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In April, the Biennale art exhibition — run by the Venice Biennale Foundation, which also runs the film festival — was slammed for allowing Russia and Israel to mount shows in their pavilions.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of slam
Verb
  • Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Robert Pozen, who lectures at MIT Sloan School of Management and was formerly president of Fidelity Investments, has an answer to the obvious question about who inspects this.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • The Fox morning show paid tribute to Leavitt with a video montage of her berating and insulting reporters from the White House podium.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • According to a detective’s testimony at a preliminary hearing, Thomas raped a 15-year-old girl while forcing her to insult Blythe Street.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of insult
Verb
  • Judge William Sullivan declined to declare a mistrial but sharply reprimanded the prosecution and told the jury to disregard Heilbrun’s statements on Clancy’s faith.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit says the officer was reprimanded and removed from further field training of Wadell.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of reprimand

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castigated
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Cite this Entry

“Castigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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