1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
a cold, distant father who rarely paid attention to his children except to chastise them
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2
as in to punish
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
the division of opinion regarding the appropriate way to chastise juvenile perpetrators of adult crimes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chastise
If your child has already tried the trend, according to experts, parents should refrain from chastising them or using scare tactics.
—
Melissa Willets, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
He was chastised, mocked, and even beaten with stones for his family’s antislavery views, until finally his parents pulled him from school and found a private tutor whose curriculum accorded with their own beliefs.
—Chandler Fritz, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
This after having spent days talking about the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory as part of some sort of agreement, and chastising Ukraine — invaded unprovoked by a much larger neighbor — of starting the war itself.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Her biological father chastised her.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chastise
Melissa Willets, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
He was chastised, mocked, and even beaten with stones for his family’s antislavery views, until finally his parents pulled him from school and found a private tutor whose curriculum accorded with their own beliefs.
—Chandler Fritz, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
This after having spent days talking about the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory as part of some sort of agreement, and chastising Ukraine — invaded unprovoked by a much larger neighbor — of starting the war itself.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Her biological father chastised her.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chastise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastise
Verb
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Shipp is tasked with scolding her father and delivering leaden exposition.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
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In Part 2, viewers see Morticia scold her children for lying to her, yet Morticia is keeping secrets from Wednesday about her past and family.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The city of Grants Pass, Oregon, had punished people using camping paraphernalia like blankets or pillows while sleeping outside.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Sep. 2025
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But even this nod to forgiveness is relatively punishing, since the health refill freezes your character in a defenseless pose for a few seconds.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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San Juan Unified School District Trustee Nick Bloise was formally reprimanded by the board in relation to his behavior during a school site visit.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Geier, who has a bachelor’s degree in biology, has also been reprimanded by the Maryland Board of Physicians for practicing medicine without a medical license.—
Sarah Owermohle,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More generally, the Nepalese public criticized the government’s measures disproportionate impact on ordinary users.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Republicans on Sunday criticized some Democrats, suggesting language used by them contributed to Kirk's killing, claims that Democrats rejected.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In between all the jokes, the film stops more than once to basically lecture on this sad state of affairs, an admirable Sturges-like approach that gets laid on thick, perhaps too thick to merge successfully with the largely comedic rhythm Ansari has established so well.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
7 Sep. 2025
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Coach Eli Drinkwitz brought in guest speakers (including Hill) to lecture players on the rivalry.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chastise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastise. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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