CASTIGATE Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

castigate

verb

ˈka-stə-ˌgāt

Definition of castigate

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Some of the Democrats who were castigated Friday night at the democratic socialist, progressive rally received an overwhelmingly positive response on Saturday at a get-out-the-vote rally at the Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026 El-Sayed is running on Medicare for All while castigating corporate influence in politics. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 20 July 2026 Ahead of a challenging midterm election, Republicans have seized an opportunity to castigate their opponents as extremists after democratic socialists won recent Democratic congressional primaries in New York and Colorado. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 July 2026 Katz and his allies have sought out candidates who are willing to castigate the Democratic Party for selling out the working class—which necessitates, or at least militates toward, candidates who have no experience inside the party. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for castigate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigate

Verb

But leaders seeking to encourage tourism scolded residents who warned of the danger on social media.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
From behind a tree, Neil and Florence observed Brenda scolding little Neil.

— S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

Egypt's president sought to reassure the public that the country wouldn't attack Yemen, and that the military support is limited to defending Saudi territory.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Back in 2023, Stevens revealed he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome—a rare auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves—and was working to relearn how to walk and use his hands.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

The course is august and sweeping, with long straights and punishing curves, framed by the tall pine trees of a former royal park.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Cam Skattebo was surprisingly punished for his fumbling issues, but there is precedence in John Harbaugh’s coaching history.

— Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of punish

Verb

Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

The familyâs legal team filed complaints targeting Iranian officials who bankrolled Hamas, slamming the ICC for double standards and demanding arrest warrants for the regime bosses backing the atrocity.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
On June 24, Matis blew through a stop sign and slammed into a home on the 2900 block of Southwest 57th Avenue, where Bezy was sleeping.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of slam

Verb

At a time when everyone is asking where men fit in, this film doesn’t lecture.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
Respondents in England and Australia were more likely to associate teaching with institutional, credentialed and paid professional roles, such as nursing, lecturing and social work.

— Gustavo E. Fischman, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of lecture

Verb

Letter writer regrets hanging up on a telemarketer without insulting her first.

— Judith Martin, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
In this storybook little village she is ostracized, acknowledged negatively by the town’s men for her fishy smell, insulted regularly when not being totally ignored.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of insult

Verb

Mandell was later formally reprimanded for allowing another client’s hearing to be delayed by six years, during which time two witnesses died.

— Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026
The Denver school board censured director Monica Hunter on Thursday night, the third time in five years that the governing body of Colorado’s largest K-12 district has publicly reprimanded a colleague.

— Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of reprimand

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“Castigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of castigate

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