1
as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
castigated him for his constant tardiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attacked
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
a newspaper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the first place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of castigated
As some conservatives castigated the measure on social media last week, Hinrichsen replied to one X post with a link to an international meta-analysis published by researchers from four countries.
—
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 17 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
First, Swallwell castigated the Republicans on the panel for trying to attack Smith.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 23 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
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 17 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
First, Swallwell castigated the Republicans on the panel for trying to attack Smith.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 23 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
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As the Sentinel’s Cristobal Reyes has reported, federal judges based in Orlando have scolded prosecutors multiple times in recent weeks for detaining people who should have been set free, with one judge memorably comparing the current actions of ICE to those of a third-world country.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
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No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Until Friday, the only television advertising on Paxton’s behalf in Texas, according to the ad-tracking service AdImpact, was a spot that attacked Hunt, a two-term House member from the Houston area.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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In that non-fatal case, Homeland Security claims three undocumented men attacked a federal agent with a snow shovel and a broom, and that fearing for his life, the agent shot one of the men in the leg.—
Esme Murphy,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ortiz was punished the following year with his removal from Welch’s leadership team.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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But Einhorn said the stock was unfairly punished given the return of an old CEO, as well as an improving balance sheet.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Vance’s speech got a cool reception from European leaders who said they felt lectured.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
18 Feb. 2026
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Some of us have guest lectured in his law school class on the Arkansas Constitution, and his passion for our state's rich heritage is evident.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bigger fish slammed prey in a shallow pool next to the bank.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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Sherrill slammed the political back-and-forth, pointing out all the money spent on legal fees for a project Congress already approved.—
Alice Gainer,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last year, filmmakers who spoke out for Palestinian life and liberty from the Berlinale stage reported being aggressively reprimanded by senior festival programmers.—
William Earl,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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Several told the Herald they were reprimanded for speaking to the media to promote the cultural events being hosted by the center.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Red McCombs, one of the most prodigious benefactors in UT history who gave more than $100 million to the school’s athletic programs before his death in 2023, famously criticized the hiring of former head football coach Charlie Strong in 2014.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
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Massie criticized Bondi's combative testimony before the House Judiciary Committee regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pritzker, the billionaire Hyatt executive, similarly blamed his retirement on a desire to shield the company’s brand.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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In December, 2025, Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir called on Afghanistan’s Taliban government to choose between maintaining ties with Islamabad or supporting the Pakistani Taliban, the militant group blamed for a surge in deadly attacks in recent years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Castigated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigated. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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