1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
castigated him for his constant tardiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
a newspaper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the first place
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to punish
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
a judge who believes in castigating criminals to the full extent of the law
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of castigate
Being merely a puppet of whatever the AI tells you is not likely to work out and you’ll probably be castigated as the dumbest person in the room rather than the smartest.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Most people have been hearing about Marx and Marxism forever; even Donald Trump, whom no one would suspect of having read Capital, routinely castigates his opponents as Marxists.
—Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
In the aftermath, Sara rejects Isaac’s attempt to offer reassuring words and castigates herself for making a mistake that put Devin in jeopardy.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
Not long ago Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, recently appointed by President Donald Trump, mentioned the problem and castigated Mexico for it on social media.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for castigate
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Most people have been hearing about Marx and Marxism forever; even Donald Trump, whom no one would suspect of having read Capital, routinely castigates his opponents as Marxists.
—Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
In the aftermath, Sara rejects Isaac’s attempt to offer reassuring words and castigates herself for making a mistake that put Devin in jeopardy.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025
Not long ago Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, recently appointed by President Donald Trump, mentioned the problem and castigated Mexico for it on social media.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for castigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigate
Verb
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Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
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For example, if China can pin down the United States in the Taiwan Strait, Russia and Iran may seize the moment to attack their neighbors.—
Mark Melton,
National Review,
23 May 2025
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There are several leaf spotting diseases that can attack hydrangeas.—
Janet B. Carson,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The penalty is a mere $200 fine, and members have not been punished for said violations.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
25 May 2025
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The United States halted a punishing bombing campaign against the Houthis this month, saying the rebels had pledged to stop attacking ships.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
Verb
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In 2022, he was reprimanded for oxycodone trafficking.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
22 May 2025
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The Supreme Court on Monday said Broward County Judge Mardi Levey Cohen will be reprimanded June 3 as part of discipline that also includes a 10-day suspension without pay.—
News Service Of Florida,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The decision also sparked fierce debate from religious conservatives who criticized one board member’s staunch opposition to introducing prayer.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2025
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In the Verizon and T-Mobile deals, the FCC only approved the transaction after each company agreed to end DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies criticized by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2025
Verb
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These days, nothing infuriates liberals more than to be lectured about the American plutocracy — not when Trump is perhaps the most brazenly corrupt president to hold the office in modern history.—
Alexander Heffner,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2025
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Maybe Healey can lecture them on how to sue Trump a hundred times and bankrupt a state on migrant hotel shelters.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2025
Verb
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India blamed Pakistan for the attack, an accusation rejected by Islamabad.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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Such a strategy seeks to blame the EU for ‘forcing’ its member states to shoulder the burden of caring for refugees, at the expense of their own citizens.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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The Florida Panthers slammed the door on that, crushing that hope with a three-goal flurry in the second period and a game-winner in the third period.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
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The 58-year-old man driving the truck reportedly then lost control of his vehicle before slamming into a nearby Honda Odyssey and sending them both into a guard rail, WOFL and CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reported.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Castigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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