chastise

verb

chas·tise | \ (ˌ)cha-ˈstīz

chastised; chastising

Definition of chastise

transitive verb

1 : to censure severely : castigate The coach chastised the players for their mistakes.

2 : to inflict punishment on (as by whipping)

3 archaic : chasten sense 2

Other Words from chastise Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about chastise

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Other Words from chastise

chastisement \ (ˌ)cha-ˈstīz-mənt

also ˈchas-təz- \ noun

chastiser \ (ˌ)cha-ˈstī-zər

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for chastise

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

Examples of chastise in a Sentence

The waiter was chastised for forgetting the customer's order. The coach is always chastising the players for minor mistakes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Commenters both supported and chastised Cole’s actions. — Phil Ferolito, The Seattle Times, "Yakima officer on desk duty amid probe into kicking of teen at fair," 26 Sep. 2018 An enforcer nicknamed The General roams the hallways on the president’s behalf, chastising hotel staff, former hotel employees said. — Joe Parkinson, WSJ, "Can’t Find Cameroon’s President? Try Geneva’s Intercontinental Hotel," 4 Nov. 2018 My ribs can’t expand anymore to hold a secret very few people know, while women who are finally sharing theirs are chastised by the most powerful man on the planet. — Danielle Campoamor, Marie Claire, "You’re Asking Why I Didn’t Report? Why Don’t You Ask Me Why I Regretted It When I Did?," 24 Sep. 2018 Cities have spent years chastising Uber and Lyft for increasing congestion. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "Don’t ban scooters. Redesign streets.," 13 July 2018 His office released a statement chastising the US for its failure to communicate. — Nicole Gaouette, CNN, "Key US allies 'perplexed' as Trump treats friends like enemies," 26 May 2018 Dowell was one of several speakers who chastised the school board for ill-mannered behavior at an April 16 board meeting. — Karen Berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "District 113 exodus symptom of climate crisis, Deerfield and Highland Park teachers say," 2 May 2018 The ad by an independent expenditure committee called San Franciscans Against Domestic Violence chastises Kim for joining three other progressives to reinstate Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi after he was convicted of misdemeanor false imprisonment. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, "On housing, SF Mayor Farrell picks up where late Mayor Lee left off," 24 Apr. 2018 By day’s end, after the president had chastised him in a private meeting, Price had handed in to the White House a four-paragraph resignation letter. — Amy Goldstein, Washington Post, "Former HHS secretary Tom Price’s air travel wasted $341,000 in government funds, watchdog says," 13 July 2018

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