Synonyms of castigate

castigate

verb

ˈka-stə-ˌgāt 

1

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

castigated him for his constant tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scold
• criticize
• lecture
• reprimand
• blame
• berate
• chastise
• upbraid
• admonish
• lambaste
• rag
• reproach
• rebuke
• flay
• call down
• ream (out)
• jaw
• chew out
• rail (at or against)
• rant (at)
• attack
• mock
• chide
• fault
• dress down
• bawl out
• baste
• lay into
• keelhaul
• condemn
• rate
• hammer
• denounce
• score
• excoriate
• crucify
• read the riot act (to)
• disparage
• revile
• reprove
• assail
• tongue-lash
• take to task
• remonstrate (with)
• belittle
• reprehend
• lash
• knock
• censure
• slam
• harangue
• ridicule
• bad-mouth
• pan
• vituperate
• scoff
• scourge
• scorn
• abuse
• blast
• lace (into)
• dis
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• sanction
• praise
• extol
• laud

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

• attack
• scold
• slam
• criticize
• insult
• excoriate
• assail
• lambaste
• savage
• abuse
• jump (on)
• berate
• blast
• vituperate
• bash
• tie into
• belabor
• harass
• scathe
• curse
• revile
• beat up on
• potshot
• sail into
• trash
• disparage
• reprimand
• vilify
• chide
• belittle
• blaspheme
• chastise
• harangue
• affront
• execrate
• slander
• harry
• light into
• slur
• traduce
• whip
• imprecate
• libel
• asperse
• bad-mouth
• blackguard
• fulminate
• rebuke
• profane
• lash (out)
• put down
• lace (into)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commend
• praise
• compliment
• hail
• laud
• acclaim

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

• punish
• penalize
• criticize
• chastise
• fine
• correct
• discipline
• sentence
• assess
• chasten
• impose
• convict
• condemn
• denounce
• dock
• levy
• charge
• mulct
• reprove
• reprimand
• rebuke
• damn
• wreak
• keelhaul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• excuse
• spare
• pardon
• forfeit
• release
• get off
• ransom
• absolve
• vindicate
• exonerate
• commute
• acquit
• exculpate
• reprieve

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

Recent Examples of castigate

El-Sayed is running on Medicare for All while castigating corporate influence in politics. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 20 July 2026

Ahead of a challenging midterm election, Republicans have seized an opportunity to castigate their opponents as extremists after democratic socialists won recent Democratic congressional primaries in New York and Colorado. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Katz and his allies have sought out candidates who are willing to castigate the Democratic Party for selling out the working class—which necessitates, or at least militates toward, candidates who have no experience inside the party. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

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

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