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

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

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