1
as in scolds
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
castigated him for his constant tardiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attacks
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 punishes
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigates
Verb
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Governance scolds are appalled by the number, as is the pope.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025 -
Woke scolds and anti-woke dolts alike objected to the image of Carpenter kneeling in front of a man who appears to be using her hair as a leash.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Berkley’s dies by suicide by jumping off a balcony outside their office window; Simpson’s goes crazy and attacks her ex with sulfuric acid.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
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For this new study in particular, the researchers focused on the 5FU, which often both fails to reach cancer cells efficiently and attacks healthy tissue—causing side effects like nausea, fatigue and, in rare cases, even heart failure.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The ice punishes the slightest miscalculations, demands the sharpest of focus.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The scene came in a fictional segment parodying Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead in which Maggie defends her architectural talents after her daycare teacher punishes her for making beautiful structures from building blocks.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … PODIUM TAKEOVER – Bernie Sanders crashes Schumer news conference, criticizes Democratic Party leadership.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Dave Smith is a comedian and libertarian who often criticizes both Democrats and Republicans through a libertarian lens.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But dropping the gloves can feel like an exasperating last act born of desperation and hopelessness - a door that slams behind you, leaves you in the dark and seldom reopens.—
Aaron Davis,
Sacbee.com,
2 Jan. 2026
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Trump slams Mamdani after primary win Mamdani’s primary victory shocked the political establishment and excited progressives.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The same government that lectures Beijing about state capitalism and nonmarket behaviors now practices it at home.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
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But Andres Bernal, a political analyst who lectures at the City University of New York, thinks many young voters look at Cuomo's history of controversy and are reminded of the Democratic Party establishment that has left them disillusioned.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As an example, Vance called out an essay in The Nation that assails Kirk’s views on women, homosexuality, and affirmative action.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her school blames a heartbreaking tragedy in her family.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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And in fact, somebody that Victor blames for the death of his beloved mother.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Castigates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigates. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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