1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word castigate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of castigate are chasten, chastise, correct, discipline, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When is chasten a more appropriate choice than castigate?

The words chasten and castigate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When is it sensible to use chastise instead of castigate?

While in some cases nearly identical to castigate, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

In what contexts can correct take the place of castigate?

The meanings of correct and castigate largely overlap; however, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Where would discipline be a reasonable alternative to castigate?

Although the words discipline and castigate have much in common, discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

When might punish be a better fit than castigate?

The synonyms punish and castigate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 castigate So maybe rather than castigating them, other teams would do well to emulate them. Dan Freedman, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024 Finally, the administration, in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel, which began the war in Gaza, has been castigated both for being too supportive of Israel and not supportive enough. Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025 The city issued evacuation orders minutes after 12 p.m. In the days since the blazes ignited, Bass has been castigated for her early absence by her former mayoral opponent Rick Caruso and others. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 Between the lines: Trump empowers himself and his entourage by castigating traditional media, which is more fractured and less trusted than ever. Axios, 9 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for castigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigate
Verb
  • Michelle Obama playfully scolded her husband, Barack Obama, on her new podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • According to Smith, James, who approached him in the third quarter during a timeout, scolded him for his commentary regarding his son and teammate, Bronny James.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • When Jensen then decides to go long, Collins and Pinnock move towards the near post and Wissa adjusts his position to be able to attack the second ball.
    Mark Carey, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The Trump administration has attacked DEI on college campuses with particular zeal, threatening investigations, lawsuits and canceled federal funding.
    Graham Kates, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Counties with Republican executives were punished by receiving no vaccination site for months.
    Ryan Silverstein, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • European leaders view the EU as an alliance focused on preventing wars after World War II, not punishing the United States, as Trump suggests.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Trump and Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for U.S. aid.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Edelman sharply criticized that decision in an interview that aired last week on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Tristan is doing a surprisingly good job at lecturing the Royal Army Veterinary Corps soldiers about taking care of mules and the like.
    Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The hostages forum described Moses as an expert agronomist who lectured on agriculture and helped maintain the kibbutz’s community vegetable garden.
    ASSOCIATED PRESS, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Democratic establishment’s focus on blaming Trump for those price spikes represents a stark break from its activists, who have launched a protest movement arguing that Trump is a budding dictator with no regard for the Constitution.
    Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Recently, however, doctors have started reporting more cases of iodine-deficient hypothyroidism—and our salt preferences may be at least partially to blame.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Blizzard slams multiple states Powerful winds combined with snow to wreak havoc in parts of Iowa and Nebraska late Tuesday and Wednesday.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The move has sparked trade wars that could slam economic growth and lift prices for Americans still smarting from years of high inflation.
    Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Castigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on castigate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!