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

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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 Xi’s success in wielding its dominance over rare earths to chasten Trump World probably didn’t do any favors for Howard Lutnick’s job security as Commerce secretary. —

William Pesek, Forbes.com, 30 Dec. 2025 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 The American suffered a chastening 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Iga Świątek in the Wimbledon final eight weeks ago, the first time in the Open Era that a women’s player has failed to win a single game in the final at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. —

Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025 Many have read Gödel and come away chastened by the limits of certainty—without concluding, as Richardson did, that the logical next step was to spend your life playing cards and paying prostitutes. —

Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chasten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chasten

Verb

The Supreme Court ruled the music industry’s can't punish internet providers that allow users to illegally copy and share content.

— Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Under state law, someone prosecuted for a second-degree felony could be punished with a sentence of one to 15 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026