Synonym Chooser

How is the word chastise distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chastise are castigate, chasten, correct, discipline, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," 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 castigate be used to replace chastise?

In some situations, the words castigate and chastise are roughly equivalent. However, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When can chasten be used instead of chastise?

While the synonyms chasten and chastise are close in meaning, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When might correct be a better fit than chastise?

While in some cases nearly identical to chastise, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When is discipline a more appropriate choice than chastise?

Although the words discipline and chastise have much in common, 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 chastise?

The words punish and chastise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 chastise They were ultimately cleared, but the watchdog chastised both of them—and indirectly Powell—for undermining public confidence in the central bank, the same topic with whic El-Erian is still concerned. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025 President Donald Trump's White House is speaking out against The View cohost Ana Navarro after the Republican commentator chastised people who have been treating Florida's Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center as a tourist destination. EW.com, 11 July 2025 Four members of the 25-member City-County Council have called for Hogsett's resignation and in June the whole Democratic caucus released a statement chastising his leadership but stopping short of calling for his resignation. Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 11 July 2025 But in the time the survey was in the field, Iran launched a retaliatory strike at a U.S. military site in Qatar, Trump announced a ceasefire and chastised both countries for appearing to break the terms. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for chastise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastise
Verb
  • Some have also scolded Colossal for tinkering with genetics, but the tech firm insists its work will aid in the conservation and protection of endangered species.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
  • With the camel’s back broken, Dorothy Scott, summoning all her righteous indignation (and channeled with maybe one-third of Audra McDonald’s extraordinary talent, which is still enough to power the city of Manhattan), lets the snobby scold have it.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Driven by spikes in incidents, especially since the pandemic, lawmakers are now playing catch up and introducing specific laws for abuse of workers to punish offenders.
    Jo Causon, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • In response, Mexico has passed legislation punishing unauthorized use of Indigenous cultural expressions with hefty fines and prison sentences.
    Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • If the committee finds the charges to be malicious, the accusers may also be reprimanded, suspended, removed from office or expelled.
    Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • In October, Redstone publicly criticized McMahon's decision to reprimand CBS News morning anchor Tony Dokoupil over an interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates.
    Alex Sherman, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Trump amps up his attacks on CEOs and other executives Trump has long used social media and his other public statements to cajole, criticize and praise companies and individual CEOs.
    Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Some social media users have criticized the department’s reverence for the 1940s, noting the period predated the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation, as well as other landmark legislation and Supreme Court decisions that were key to the civil rights era.
    Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Two hours later, she was heard lecturing the children.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
  • The single most on-the-nose sequence — though there are many — has an unrestrained Christopher Lloyd as a Holocaust survivor conveniently situated to lecture young Clay about the genocidal reality of his experience.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chastise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastise. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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