as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
a chastening hour spent cleaning floors should discourage them from further pranks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in condemnation
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in punishing
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
chastened the child with five minutes of sitting in the corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in humiliating
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
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Recent Examples of chastening
George Caulkin, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
James Wallace, New York Times, 22 May 2026
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
Two months later, his side suffered a 5-2 defeat to Crystal Palace, followed by a chastening 5-0 loss away to Chelsea in May.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Market shakeouts are about testing risk tolerances, forcing a rethink of unexamined premises and, at times, chastening the arrogant.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Sunderland are lurking and, perhaps for the first time under Howe’s management, Newcastle are in deficit, needing a response (yet again) after a chastening night in Europe.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
After the team’s chastening winter in Australia, it isn’t lost on Root that the upcoming series against New Zealand is symbolic.
—James Wallace, New York Times, 22 May 2026
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
Two months later, his side suffered a 5-2 defeat to Crystal Palace, followed by a chastening 5-0 loss away to Chelsea in May.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Market shakeouts are about testing risk tolerances, forcing a rethink of unexamined premises and, at times, chastening the arrogant.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastening
Adjective
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San Diego’s leadership should recognize the urgency of these challenges as part of a broader civic agenda and increase resources for early interventions that are rehabilitative rather than punitive.—
Muhammad Aquil,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
-
What your employer can't do When a garnishment order is issued, many borrowers will worry that their jobs could be at risk due to punitive action by their employers.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The incursion was the latest in a litany of drone incidents — from both Russia and Ukraine — to afflict NATO member states and leave the 32-member trans-Atlantic organization on edge, drawing strong condemnation from Romania’s allies.—
Stephen McGrath,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
The dismissive language triggered outrage from the public, condemnation from unions, and questions from regulators about the extent of potential job cuts.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Curry granted the young man a preliminary injunction that prevents NCAA brass from punishing Sorsby for violating — again, repeatedly — its rules on sports betting.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
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Sorsby’s attorneys argued that the NCAA was punishing the quarterback for his mental health condition and suggested that the ruling prevented him from making an informed decision about entering the 2026 NFL supplemental draft.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
In her report, Soto accused Sibrian of allegedly mocking and humiliating her for her accent, immigration status and race and calling her stupid.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
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State caseworkers have sent an untold number of elders in their care to a coterie of homes with a history of hurting, ignoring or humiliating their residents, records and anguished families say.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Case appealed, headed to Idaho Supreme Court Neither side was fully satisfied by the decision — or appeared to take Scott’s chastisement to heart.—
Rose Evans
Updated December 10,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Dec. 2025
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Frail, undernourished, lacking sufficient clothing, and shoeless, Kammo is overburdened by chores and in constant fear of chastisement.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Orbán’s rule was marked by a sprawling media ecosystem, which for years served as a loyal mouthpiece for his Fidesz party while discrediting, defaming and intimidating his opponents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
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My fear is that poor implementation and, above all, a failure to take accountability seriously will end up discrediting good ideas.—
Rachel Canter,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ritter later offered a blunt assessment of the competing cases presented to jurors.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
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The recent fire heavily damaged the structure, and a structural assessment found that what remains is not salvageable, DPR explained.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Speaking to the media after earning the victory, Hatton got candid about how his young daughter has given him a new perspective and motivation to perform at his best in what was a very cool, humbling moment.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
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Brad Stevens admitted last month, after the Celtics followed up an excellent regular season with a humbling first-round loss to Philadelphia, that Boston did not have the talent to compete with the NBA’s true championship contenders.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chastening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastening. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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