CASTIGATED Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

castigated

verb

Definition of castigated next

past tense of castigate

as in scolded

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings castigated him for his constant tardiness

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as in attacked

to criticize harshly and usually publicly a newspaper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the first place

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as in punished

to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime a judge who believes in castigating criminals to the full extent of the law

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of castigated Trump has repeatedly and publicly called for her release since his return to office last year, and he’s castigated Polis for not pardoning her or transferring her into federal custody. —

Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026 Trump castigated the court for not spelling out what happens to the tens of billions of dollars the government has already collected. —

Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026 Also, lawmakers repeatedly castigated the insurance executives for trying to pad their profits by denying or delaying approval of the care doctors say their patients need. —

Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026 Trump has castigated European allies, particularly Denmark, for doing too little to protect the region. —

Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025 Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony also castigated the deputies for mishandling the 14 calls Mary made to BSO in the year leading up to her death. —

Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 The court gave the green light for those sweeping immigration operations to continue in Los Angeles — a decision that was praised by the White House and castigated by immigrant rights advocates. —

Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025 Payne also castigated the department for failing to provide any of the documents that lawmakers had requested on June 3. —

Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2025 The big headline from the rescissions effort is that the government will cut off funds to PBS and NPR, which Republicans have long castigated as having a liberal agenda. —

Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 18 July 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigated

Verb

Leon scolded Justice Department attorneys for arguing that the entire project needed to go forward for national security reasons, before previously distinguishing between the bunker below ground and the ballroom above ground.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Government officials scolded young people for the signs of disrespect.

— Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026