as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
a chastising lecture on the proper care and feeding of the dog
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in scolding
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in punishing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chastising
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, instead of chastising their petulant colleagues, nearly every other Democratic politician has decided to join them in thrashing about on the floor.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
There is inevitably going to be an onslaught of thinkpieces and TikTok rants dedicated to chastising this casting.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026
Close stopped play, chastising her.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Kolvet also pushed back against comments online, chastising the president.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Equally concerning to democracy defenders is its rhetoric chastising European democracies and apparent willingness to elevate political parties in Europe that reject human rights.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Just the same, this was some unsavory stuff from a team that began the season in Brazil with Reid chastising his players for their effort in an opening loss to the Chargers.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
Twenty-three Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in voting yes on the resolution chastising Garcia, who set up his chief of staff as the sole Democrat on the primary ballot to replace him in a deep-blue district.
—Melinda Yao, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
Verb
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, the newest major candidate to enter the race, hewed toward partisan middle ground, chastising leaders in Sacramento for allowing the state budget to balloon without tangible improvements to housing affordability, homelessness and public schools.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, instead of chastising their petulant colleagues, nearly every other Democratic politician has decided to join them in thrashing about on the floor.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
There is inevitably going to be an onslaught of thinkpieces and TikTok rants dedicated to chastising this casting.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026
Close stopped play, chastising her.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Kolvet also pushed back against comments online, chastising the president.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 27 Jan. 2026
Equally concerning to democracy defenders is its rhetoric chastising European democracies and apparent willingness to elevate political parties in Europe that reject human rights.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Just the same, this was some unsavory stuff from a team that began the season in Brazil with Reid chastising his players for their effort in an opening loss to the Chargers.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Dec. 2025
Twenty-three Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in voting yes on the resolution chastising Garcia, who set up his chief of staff as the sole Democrat on the primary ballot to replace him in a deep-blue district.
—Melinda Yao, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastising
Adjective
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The jurors reached the compensatory verdict first, then had to go back and deliberate further to come up with the punitive award.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
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However, if Tuesday’s $375 million verdict out of a similar social media trial in New Mexico is any blueprint, expect the punitive award in the West Coast trial to be a comparable amount.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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First, as the Florida ACLU’s Howard Simon points out, Uthmeier is not scolding another branch of government.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
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Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Moderate exercise helps, but high-intensity overtraining can raise cortisol further, worth knowing if punishing workouts are already part of a stressed routine.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face punishing strikes on critical energy infrastructure.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Therefore, now is not the time to be lecturing our partners and allies.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
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That includes lecturing, building curriculum, pursuing research and speaking about university policy.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Indeed, Ye didn’t say much of anything during the two-hour concert beyond a number of reprimanding comments directed at his stage crew.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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In footage that circulated on social media after Sunday's telecast, the 35-year-old Best Supporting Actress nominee and recording artist was shown reprimanding someone off camera while others stepped between them.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 2010, a grand jury indicted former House Speaker Ray Sansom on grand theft and conspiracy charges and issued a 10-page presentment criticizing the Legislature’s appropriations process.—
Lawrence Mower,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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Moore also pointed out flaws in facial recognition technology as a whole, criticizing its early, widespread adoption by law enforcement agencies worldwide.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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California's Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said the state identified factors behind price spikes, but stopped short of blaming oil companies for price gouging.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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But there is no point blaming Tuchel for this.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chastising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastising. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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