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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

Examples of castigate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nearly a year before the March elections, ads began to appear in Rogers’ district castigating him not simply as a RINO but as a closet liberal who supported gun control and Shariah law. Ava Kofman, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2024 After a second attempt on Trump’s life was foiled, this time on his Florida golf course, Trump immediately castigated Democratic rhetoric. Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2024 Israel was castigated for such things as the cruel and senseless murder of Palestine Chronicle journalist ... Jeffrey Blehar, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024 There’s always backlash; history lionizes you as a hero, but until then a lot of people castigate you as a villain. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for castigate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'castigate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Castigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigate. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

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