See More

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

\/\/ an editorial castigating<\/em> the entire city council<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'chasten' a more appropriate choice than 'castigate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words chasten<\/em><\/a> and castigate<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, chasten<\/em> suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.<\/p>

\/\/ chastened<\/em> by a landslide election defeat<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'chastise' instead of 'castigate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to castigate<\/em>, chastise<\/em><\/a> may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.<\/p>

\/\/ chastised<\/em> his son for neglecting his studies<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'correct' take the place of 'castigate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of correct<\/em><\/a> and castigate<\/em> largely overlap; however, correct<\/em> implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.<\/p>

\/\/ the function of prison is to correct<\/em> the wrongdoer<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'discipline' be a reasonable alternative to 'castigate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words discipline<\/em><\/a> and castigate<\/em> have much in common, discipline<\/em> implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.<\/p>

\/\/ parents must discipline<\/em> their children<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'punish' be a better fit than 'castigate'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms punish<\/em><\/a> and castigate<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but punish<\/em> implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.<\/p>

\/\/ punished<\/em> for stealing<\/p>" } } ] }

castigate

verb

ˈka-stÉ™-ËŒgāt 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

Relevance

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 Nowhere is this more evident than in Sudan, where critics castigate the UAE’s backing of the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary faction accused of genocide in the country’s civil war. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 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 At the same time, the barrage of vitriol unleashed by China castigating Takaichi as a warmongering militarist includes a reprehensible threat by the Chinese consul-general in Osaka about beheading Takaichi. —Jeff Kingston, Time, 30 Nov. 2025 Trump has castigated European allies, particularly Denmark, for doing too little to protect the region. —Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 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
  • On our hike, Jessie Krebs scolds her boots for sliding on a slick, house-size boulder.
    — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
  • But the Commission's chairman, Brendan Carr, scolded Amazon last week, saying the company should focus on its own satellite efforts, rather than criticize SpaceX.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • Authorities are working to identify the owner of a dog that entered a Midlothian home and attacked a 1‑year‑old child and an adult, leaving them bloodied and the child hospitalized with severe injuries.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Banchero’s ball The Magic forward attacked downhill early and often to notch 10 points in the opening quarter and a team-high 18 in the first half.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • The Supreme Court ruled the music industry’s can't punish internet providers that allow users to illegally copy and share content.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Under state law, someone prosecuted for a second-degree felony could be punished with a sentence of one to 15 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of punish
Verb
  • Rogers, reportedly to the shock of those in attendance, backed up Microsoft by criticizing the work of the auditors.
    — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Lee criticized the failure of Bondi's DOJ to take new action against Epstein associates, even as the United Kingdom has made arrests based on information in the latest releases of files.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Another sticking point has been her close alignment with Kennedy, whose efforts to dramatically pull back vaccine recommendations have been slammed by lawmakers and medical groups.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Still others were ready to slam the project for various reasons (such as Rowling’s trans views, or gripes about Snape being played by a Black actor).
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of slam
Verb
  • Joanna Fabicon, who has lectured on contemporary children’s literature at UCLA, added that educators, librarians and publishers must all grapple with the allegations against Chávez and decide how to move forward.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Thiel has previously written and lectured on the subject, arguing that the Antichrist is not necessarily a person but could come as a global government system.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • The situation reached a breaking point when Sullivan started mocking and insulting Morgan’s wife, the journalist and author Celia Walden.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The walkout followed HStikkytokky, real name Harrison Sullivan, insulting Morgan’s wife and making false allegations about the presenter’s links to Jeffrey Epstein.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of insult
Verb
  • That’s part of it, sometimes, but multiple girls do that this week and then get reprimanded for not having enough family resemblance.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2026
  • In footage that circulated on social media after Sunday's telecast, the 35-year-old Best Supporting Actress nominee and recording artist was shown reprimanding someone off camera while others stepped between them.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of reprimand

Browse Nearby Words

castes
castigate
castigated
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Castigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigate. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on castigate

Nglish: Translation of castigate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dross

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'pipe dream'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little boy with a magnifying glass looking at footprints
Quiz: Spot the Misspelled Word! Think you can detect a spelling error from a mile...
See All