Synonyms of castigating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• punitive
• correcting
• correctional
• corrective
• disciplining
• disciplinary
• chastising
• penal
• penalizing
• chastening
• retaliatory
• retributive
• revengeful
• vengeful
• wrathful
• retributory
• retaliative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compensatory
• nonpunitive
• vindicating
• exculpatory
• exonerating
• exculpating
• condoning
• remitting
• pardoning
• absolving
• commuting
• acquitting
• reprieving

castigating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of castigate

1

as in scolding

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

castigated him for his constant tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scolding
• lecturing
• reprimanding
• criticizing
• blaming
• berating
• chastising
• upbraiding
• admonishing
• lambasting
• rebuking
• attacking
• reproaching
• mocking
• flaying
• ragging
• jawing
• hammering
• faulting
• ranting (at)
• chiding
• reaming (out)
• calling down
• dressing down
• scoring
• basting
• bawling out
• rating
• railing (at or against)
• condemning
• keelhauling
• denouncing
• tongue-lashing
• chewing out
• slamming
• excoriating
• laying into
• crucifying
• assailing
• lashing
• reviling
• ridiculing
• reproving
• disparaging
• haranguing
• censuring
• belittling
• knocking
• reading the riot act (to)
• blasting
• taking to task
• remonstrating (with)
• panning
• abusing
• scoffing
• scorning
• bad-mouthing
• scourging
• lacing (into)
• dissing
• vituperating
• reprehending
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approving
• endorsing
• sanctioning
• praising
• indorsing
• extolling
• lauding

2

as in attacking

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

a newspaper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the first place

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attacking
• slamming
• scolding
• criticizing
• abusing
• insulting
• excoriating
• blasting
• lambasting
• assailing
• savaging
• scathing
• bashing
• cursing
• trashing
• berating
• jumping (on)
• harassing
• tying into
• belaboring
• reprimanding
• sailing into
• reviling
• vituperating
• haranguing
• blaspheming
• disparaging
• belittling
• potshotting
• slandering
• vilifying
• chiding
• harrying
• chastising
• affronting
• beating up on
• libelling
• whipping
• libeling
• execrating
• slurring
• rebuking
• lighting into
• profaning
• traducing
• fulminating
• bad-mouthing
• imprecating
• lacing (into)
• lashing (out)
• aspersing
• blackguarding
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praising
• commending
• complimenting
• hailing
• lauding
• acclaiming

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• punishing
• criticizing
• chastising
• penalizing
• fining
• disciplining
• correcting
• assessing
• chastening
• sentencing
• imposing
• convicting
• condemning
• denouncing
• levying
• charging
• reprimanding
• rebuking
• mulcting
• docking
• damning
• reproving
• wreaking
• keelhauling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• excusing
• sparing
• pardoning
• releasing
• forfeiting
• getting off
• commuting
• ransoming
• vindicating
• absolving
• exonerating
• acquitting
• exculpating
• reprieving