CASTIGATING Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

castigating 1 of 2

adjective

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment a castigating task that succeeds in doing nothing more than making the lives of the inmates miserable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

castigating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of castigate

as in scolding

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings castigated him for his constant tardiness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attacking

to criticize harshly and usually publicly a newspaper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the first place

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in punishing

to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime a judge who believes in castigating criminals to the full extent of the law

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 castigating

Verb

El-Sayed is running on Medicare for All while castigating corporate influence in politics. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 20 July 2026 Yet with the same breath many are castigating Kang, others are denouncing clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid for not investing more into their women’s team. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 May 2026 At the previous Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on March 9, Steve Juliusson offered up T-shirts castigating the Winnetka Park District. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 Trump returned to power in 2024 by promising affordability, castigating the Biden Administration over inflation, and appealing to what his aides described as nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 2 Apr. 2026 Rather than confronting Scrooge with things beyond his human comprehension — immutable calm, boundless generosity, pitiless void — all three spirits simply end up castigating him. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025 The Georgia Republican emerged as a rare voice castigating her party for failing to adequately prepare for the looming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which Greene has noted will affect many of her constituents and even her adult children. — Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 11 Nov. 2025 In recent days, the hits have come from all sides, with her 2022 challenger, billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso, castigating Bass in the media for her absence and handling of the fire. — Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025 So maybe rather than castigating them, other teams would do well to emulate them. — Dan Freedman, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigating

Adjective

The absolute yield level isn’t broadly punitive yet to big companies.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
Jurors awarded $6 million in damages ($3 million compensatory and $3 million punitive) to a 20-year-old woman whose compulsive childhood use of Instagram and YouTube exacerbated her severe depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia.

— Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of punitive

Verb

Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Do not punish your dog by scolding or yelling at them, as this may make your dog's behavior worse out of fear or stress.

— Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

Generally, these hunters do not start attacking cells unless there is a reason to do so, such as inflammation, a key marker of infection.

— Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
For example, Way of the Sword rewards defensive play in the form of Issen, powerful counterattacks that are triggered by attacking before an enemy strikes.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacking

Verb

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
Tristan described life at the Federal Detention Center as physically and psychologically punishing.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of punishing

Verb

Approaching hesitant individuals Health experts said that addressing vaccine-hesitant people starts with listening rather than lecturing.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Today, young people are increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of politicians lecturing them about the virtues of voting while in practice facilitating disengagement.

— David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of lecturing

Verb

Meanwhile, Talarico is barnstorming the state, slamming Republicans mostly on kitchen table issues like stubborn inflation and the price of gas that has skyrocketed due to Trump’s war with Iran.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
There was little time for anyone to flee as flash floods decimated villages, slamming into houses, roads, bridges and power plants.

— Megan De Mar, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slamming

Verb

Republican lawmaker Carl DeMaio of San Diego has vocalized his opposition in discussions of the bill, criticizing the idea of providing funding to outlets that make political endorsements.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Yiannopoulos rose to prominence through his provocative statements criticizing political correctness, feminism and Islam.

— Chris Arnold, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

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“Castigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of castigating

adjective

verb

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