as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
a castigating task that succeeds in doing nothing more than making the lives of the inmates miserable
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in scolding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
castigated him for his constant tardiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attacking
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 punishing
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
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Recent Examples of castigating
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
At the previous Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on March 9, Steve Juliusson offered up T-shirts castigating the Winnetka Park District.
—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Trump returned to power in 2024 by promising affordability, castigating the Biden Administration over inflation, and appealing to what his aides described as nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy.
—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
2 Apr. 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
The Georgia Republican emerged as a rare voice castigating her party for failing to adequately prepare for the looming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which Greene has noted will affect many of her constituents and even her adult children.
—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
11 Nov. 2025
In recent days, the hits have come from all sides, with her 2022 challenger, billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso, castigating Bass in the media for her absence and handling of the fire.
—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2025
So maybe rather than castigating them, other teams would do well to emulate them.
—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes,
12 Dec. 2024
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
Verb
Yet with the same breath many are castigating Kang, others are denouncing clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid for not investing more into their women’s team.
—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
At the previous Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on March 9, Steve Juliusson offered up T-shirts castigating the Winnetka Park District.
—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Trump returned to power in 2024 by promising affordability, castigating the Biden Administration over inflation, and appealing to what his aides described as nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy.
—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
2 Apr. 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
The Georgia Republican emerged as a rare voice castigating her party for failing to adequately prepare for the looming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which Greene has noted will affect many of her constituents and even her adult children.
—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
11 Nov. 2025
In recent days, the hits have come from all sides, with her 2022 challenger, billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso, castigating Bass in the media for her absence and handling of the fire.
—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2025
So maybe rather than castigating them, other teams would do well to emulate them.
—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes,
12 Dec. 2024
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigating
Adjective
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Woods is seeking compensatory, punitive, and statutory damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
-
The Thunder traded guards Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, respectively, shedding their contracts to try to duck under the NBA’s punitive second-apron threshold.
Verb
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This ancient poem isn’t interested in scolding women for their sexuality, but in the establishment of honor in the elite household.
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The princess hilariously put her little brother in his place by scolding him.
Verb
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He is accused of attacking a 27-year-old man with a beer mug inside the Hula Bar on Saturday night.
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Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
Verb
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Meanwhile, Bobby is soft-launching his relationship, which leads to Chane punishing Bobby by firing his restaurant partner, the Goose to Bobby’s Maverick.
-
France has banned public alcohol consumption as Europe swelters under a punishing heat dome.
Verb
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College professors spend less time lecturing than a typical sportswriter creating fake controversies to criticize.
-
If and until that day comes, there will be fingerpointing, lecturing and posturing, all of which has flowed freely in the wake of the Sorsby decision.
Verb
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An on-and-off again rivalry during the primary The two men shared a similar message during the primary, slamming Democrats for mismanaging the state and calling for tax cuts and regulatory rollbacks.
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Also in 2007, Spencer was sentenced concurrently to seven years in prison for choking a woman, slamming her head to the ground, and robbing her of her cellphone, and for smashing into a woman's car and ransacking it, prosecutors said.
Verb
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Earlier this week, Scott Agness claimed his press credentials were revoked by the team after his reporting led to the WNBA reprimanding the Fever for not being transparent about Clark’s health status during a game on May 20.
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If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?
Verb
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Several had a history of criticizing vaccine recommendations or questioning their safety.
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From Lebanon, Ghosn seized the moment, criticizing current leadership and offering himself as a solution.
Cite this Entry
“Castigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigating. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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