1
as in scolds
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in punishes
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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Recent Examples of chastises
As Dexter questions why Batista’s death hurts so much, Brian chastises his brother for listening to Harry too much.
—
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Red Jacob chastises Colum for not healing quickly enough.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Red Jacob chastises Colum for not healing quickly enough.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastises
Verb
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Governance scolds are appalled by the number, as is the pope.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Woke scolds and anti-woke dolts alike objected to the image of Carpenter kneeling in front of a man who appears to be using her hair as a leash.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This regressive move punishes our own workers and residents to try to plug budget holes.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Continue reading … WOKE OVERREACH – Parents outraged as school punishes boys over trans locker room confrontation.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticizes President Biden's decision to run for re-election.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
14 Sep. 2025
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The judge’s new ruling at turns criticizes the Ivy League school for its response to antisemitism, but the judge noted the school was now taking steps to address it.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The memo largely blames Democrats for any possible shutdown.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
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Abbie blames Leila for corrupting her, for using her as a life raft after the death of her sister, and Leila’s heart breaks, leading her to agree to participate in the Leap ceremony the next day.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chastises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastises. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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