Definition of CHASTEN

Choose the Right Synonym for chasten

punish, chastise, castigate, chasten, discipline, correct mean to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing. punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing. punished for stealing chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation. chastised his son for neglecting his studies castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure. an editorial castigating the entire city council chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued. chastened by a landslide election defeat discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control. parents must discipline their children correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender. the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Did You Know?

If you say you would "castigate" or "chastise" someone in order to "chasten" them, you demonstrate a good knowledge of the origin of "chasten" - all three verbs derive from the Latin verb castigare, meaning "to punish." The trio shares an initial sense of "to subject to severe and often physical punishment," but all three verbs are now as likely to refer to a verbal dressing-down as a physical lesson. "Chasten" (which arrived in English via Anglo-French chastier) can also be used to mean "to prune of excess, pretense, or falsity." This led to the more general sense of "to make more subdued," although the humility can be imposed by a humiliating situation as easily as by a strict taskmaster.

Examples of chasten in a Sentence

chastened the child with five minutes of sitting in the corner the unexpected loss to a second-rate player really chastened the tournament's top-seeded tennis star

Recent Examples on the Web Accuracy in painting, which may depend on whether your country has an embargo on the source of the perfect blue, seems to chasten Hass’s comparatively too easy art. — Dan Chiasson, The New Yorker, "Robert Hass’s Inner History of the Decade," 13 Jan. 2020 Granted that Jokowi may be chastened after soaring public debt became a presidential campaign issue, is this fiscal tightening a good idea? — Washington Post, "Indonesia Needs Its Own Silk Road," 23 Oct. 2019 One man who might be particularly chastened by this snub is Aarons, who was singing the new gaffer's praises just a month ago to the same publication. — SI.com, "Steve Bruce Reveals Reasons Behind Newcastle's Premier League Squad Exclusions," 22 Aug. 2019 This year, though, chastened by Democrats’ 12-seat gain in 2018, Republicans are stressing harmony. — Jamie Hancock, Dallas News, "Castro endorses Warren, 5 things to watch in 2020, McKinney’s rockin’ mayor," 7 Jan. 2020 Trump, who has been able to rely on near-unanimous Republican support during his 33 months in office, appeared chastened by the lack of support. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump reversed course on hosting of G-7 at his resort after learning that Republicans were tired of defending him," 21 Oct. 2019 Something with which to chasten or reform erring members? — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, "Turkey, NATO, and a Shifting World," 7 Nov. 2019 However, there have been chastening defeats to Leicester City and Manchester City in the mix. — SI.com, "Bournemouth Premier League Month in Review: August - Best Player, Worst Performance & Overall Rating," 8 Sep. 2019 Finally, whatever happens in Syria, this situation must chasten the United States against withdrawing from Afghanistan before the job is done. — Mitch Mcconnell, Twin Cities, "Mitch McConnell: Withdrawing from Syria is a grave mistake," 20 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chasten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.