Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

chasten

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of chasten

1 to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
  • chastened the child with five minutes of sitting in the corner
Synonyms of chasten

castigate, chastise, correct, discipline, penalize, punish
Words Related to chasten

assess, charge, dock, fine, impose, levy, mulct

convict, sentence

condemn, damn, denounce

criticize, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reprove

wreak
Near Antonyms of chasten

forfeit

get off, ransom, release

commute, reprieve

absolve, acquit, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate
Antonyms of chasten

excuse, pardon, spare
2 to reduce to a lower standing in oneʼs own eyes or in othersʼ eyes
  • the unexpected loss to a second-rate player really chastened the tournament's top-seeded tennis star
Synonyms of chasten

abase, cheapen, debase, degrade, demean, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, foul, humble, humiliate, lower, shame, sink, smirch, take down
Words Related to chasten

abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle

belittle, castigate, criticize, cry down, decry, depreciate, detract, diminish, discount, disparage, minimize, put down, ridicule, write off

bad-mouth, defame, defile, libel, malign, slander

affront, insult

censure, condemn, damn, denounce, execrate, reprehend, reprobate
Near Antonyms of chasten

acclaim, applaud, boast, celebrate, cheer, cite, commend, compliment, congratulate, decorate, eulogize, extol (also extoll), fete (or fête), hail, honor, laud, praise, salute, tout

acknowledge, recognize

highlight, play up, spotlight

dignify, ennoble, enshrine, ensky, enthrone, glorify, magnify

advance, boost, lift, promote, raise, upgrade, uplift

idealize, romanticize
Antonyms of chasten

aggrandize, canonize, deify, elevate, exalt

Synonym Discussion of chasten

punish, chastise, castigate, chasten, discipline, correct mean to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing. punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.
    • punished for stealing
chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.
    • chastised his son for neglecting his studies
castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.
    • an editorial castigating the entire city council
chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.
    • chastened by a landslide election defeat
discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.
    • parents must discipline their children
correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.
    • the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Learn More about chasten

  1. See words that rhyme with chasten Dictionary: Definition of chasten Spanish Central: Translation of chasten Nglish: Translation of chasten for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chasten for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up chasten? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

teetotaler

someone who never drinks alcohol

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. cache BuzzFeed reports on Trump-Cohen documents.

  2. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  3. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games