as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
a chastening hour spent cleaning floors should discourage them from further pranks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chastening
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 12 Jan. 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
For all the positivity that greeted back-to-back victories against Aston Villa and Real Madrid over the previous eight days, this was in some ways their most chastening defeat so far.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Of the many nadirs this season — from letting a two-goal lead slip against Bournemouth to their existing run of five defeats in six league games from December 14 — the chastening 3-0 loss against Wolves on January 3 ranks high.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 12 Jan. 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
-
To retain Watson and stay out of the most punitive payroll territory, the NBA’s second apron, other salary-shedding trades would be required.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Heat will have the wherewithal to add two players at the NBA veteran minimum and still remain below the punitive NBA luxury tax, from what should be a robust market of available players, with several involved in deadline deals already in the process of being waived.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Condolences and condemnation also poured in from various embassies in Islamabad.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
More than 30 people were killed in the clashes, prompting condemnation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who invoked the country’s peaceful heritage.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Today, Americans face a punishing one-two combination of high car prices and expensive borrowing rates.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
There were some really interesting things happening where this is getting rolled into health curriculum and addressing this just like any other risky behavior and educating kids instead of punishing them or threatening them.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This announcement, humiliating the involved member, is harmful.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
29 Aug. 2025
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
-
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
-
Supporters of Pahlavi were particularly vocal in Mashhad this month, as attested by the prevalence of pro-monarchy graffiti on city walls, and the regime’s propaganda devoted particular attention to discrediting the former crown prince.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Elordi and Giannulli appeared to be going strong over the next two years, with sources discrediting breakup speculation to PEOPLE in January 2024 and as the two vacationed together in Italy the following September.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The research draws its strength in part from its reliance on the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, which are two long-term datasets that repeatedly did dietary assessments.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The evaluation should include a cardiovascular assessment and a discussion about pre-existing medical conditions.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Stoic insight, then, is both humbling and empowering.—
Massimo Pigliucci,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Being chosen to participate in such a landmark season is a dream and knowing all the castaways that did not make it here is humbling.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chastening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastening. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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