CHASTISE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'chastise' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chastise are castigate , chasten , correct , discipline , and punish . While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation. // chastised his son for neglecting his studies

Q: When could 'castigate' be used to replace 'chastise'?

In some situations, the words castigate and chastise are roughly equivalent. However, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure. // an editorial castigating the entire city council

Q: When can 'chasten' be used instead of 'chastise'?

While the synonyms chasten and chastise are close in meaning, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued. // chastened by a landslide election defeat

Q: When might 'correct' be a better fit than 'chastise'?

While in some cases nearly identical to chastise , correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender. // the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Q: When is 'discipline' a more appropriate choice than 'chastise'?

Although the words discipline and chastise have much in common, discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control. // parents must discipline their children

Q: In what contexts can 'punish' take the place of 'chastise'?

The words punish and chastise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing. // punished for stealing

chastise

verb

ˈcha-ˌstīz

Definition of chastise next

as in to scold

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

as in to punish

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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How is the word chastise distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chastise are castigate, chasten, correct, discipline, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When could castigate be used to replace chastise?

In some situations, the words castigate and chastise are roughly equivalent. However, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When can chasten be used instead of chastise?

While the synonyms chasten and chastise are close in meaning, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When might correct be a better fit than chastise?

While in some cases nearly identical to chastise, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When is discipline a more appropriate choice than chastise?

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

parents must discipline their children

In what contexts can punish take the place of chastise?

The words punish and chastise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 chastise In an interview with the New York Post published on Sunday, the president chastised the Super Bowl performers as poor choices that would be divisive. —

Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2026 Those criticisms were echoed in August by Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who chastised Oklahoma Insurance Department Commissioner Glen Mulready for failing to take action. —

J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026 Online and from the White House briefing room, Vice President JD Vance chastised the media and critics, while the official White House X account copied popular meme formats to regularly assert that the United States will take over Greenland. —

Stephen Fowler, NPR, 16 Jan. 2026 What happened at Club America In the aftermath of her remarks being made public, Andreatta chastised her critics and media outlets, saying that her claims were taken out of context. —

Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chastise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastise

Verb

As the Sentinel’s Cristobal Reyes has reported, federal judges based in Orlando have scolded prosecutors multiple times in recent weeks for detaining people who should have been set free, with one judge memorably comparing the current actions of ICE to those of a third-world country.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Young kids paddled near the shallow edges and bigger kids jumped off the cliffs above the swimming hole, causing the adults to gasp and scold.

— Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026

Definition of scold

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chastised

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“Chastise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastise. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

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