CHASTEN Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'chasten' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chasten are castigate , chastise , correct , discipline , and punish . While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued. // chastened by a landslide election defeat

Q: When would 'castigate' be a good substitute for 'chasten'?

The synonyms castigate and chasten are sometimes interchangeable, but castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure. // an editorial castigating the entire city council

Q: When is 'chastise' a more appropriate choice than 'chasten'?

The meanings of chastise and chasten largely overlap; however, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation. // chastised his son for neglecting his studies

Q: When could 'correct' be used to replace 'chasten'?

The words correct and chasten can be used in similar contexts, but correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender. // the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Q: When might 'discipline' be a better fit than 'chasten'?

The words discipline and chasten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control. // parents must discipline their children

Q: In what contexts can 'punish' take the place of 'chasten'?

Although the words punish and chasten have much in common, punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing. // punished for stealing

chasten

verb

ˈchā-sᵊn

Definition of chasten next

as in to punish

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to humiliate

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes the unexpected loss to a second-rate player really chastened the tournament's top-seeded tennis star

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word chasten distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chasten are castigate, chastise, correct, discipline, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When would castigate be a good substitute for chasten?

The synonyms castigate and chasten are sometimes interchangeable, but castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When is chastise a more appropriate choice than chasten?

The meanings of chastise and chasten largely overlap; however, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When could correct be used to replace chasten?

The words correct and chasten can be used in similar contexts, but correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When might discipline be a better fit than chasten?

The words discipline and chasten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

In what contexts can punish take the place of chasten?

Although the words punish and chasten have much in common, punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of chasten By now too many of us are wary of what’s being sold — sensitized by two years of deepfakes and soft slop, chastened by two decades of social media and rage-farming. —

Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026 Russia and China, though chastened by their inability to protect Venezuela, retain a strong interest in propping up Havana, given Cuba’s location just 90 miles south of Key West. —

Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026 Further, chastened by the backlash, the Warren Court, for the next four years with rare exceptions, maintained the status quo on a broad array of issues. —

Time, 14 Nov. 2025 Lillard goes down injured in Bucks loss to Pacers The Milwaukee Bucks’ postseason woes continued as the team suffered a chastening 129-103 home loss to the Indiana Pacers and lost Damian Lillard to injury in the process. —

Matias Grez, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chasten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chasten

Verb

Raphael remembers a father who worked punishing hours, something 24 to 28 hours at a time.

— Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Terr hopes that the settlements reached thus far will deter officials from firing or punishing employees for their speech moving forward, despite political pressure or online outrage.

— Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 June 2026