1
as in punishes
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
chastened the child with five minutes of sitting in the corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in humiliates
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the unexpected loss to a second-rate player really chastened the tournament's top-seeded tennis star
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastens
Verb
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Because what most directly punishes American physicians for seeking mental health care sits on a state medical licensure application.—
Frances Mei Hardin,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026 -
Imposing an across the board cut punishes agencies that have maintained budgetary discipline while rewarding those that have not, creating an incentive for bloated budgets so future cuts don’t hurt.—
Rose Evans
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Incompetent leadership humiliates us on the global stage.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
And the President doesn’t seem to mind if Vance humiliates himself running errands.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The praiseworthyness of having both sides of the debate evaporates when the host actively discredits the expert and reflexively enhances the legitimacy of the conspiracy theorist.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
1 Dec. 2025
-
Yet despite its popularity, research discredits this long-standing belief.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Summer heat humbles even experienced gardeners — but the good news is that some plants actually love it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The longevity of educational institutions humbles Molinaroli.—
Nia Bowers,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Chastens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastens. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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