CHASTISING Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

chastising 1 of 2

adjective

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment a chastising lecture on the proper care and feeding of the dog

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chastising

2 of 2

verb

present participle of chastise

as in scolding

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 punishing

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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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 chastising

Verb

So, by making this offer to you, you side-step chastising her and instead give feedback that can help you both to have better visits in the future. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 Unifor officials in Canada are chastising Stellantis, while United Auto Workers leaders in the United States are showing measured hope for Belvidere. — Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Seconds later, Vitello was tossed from the game and a hot mic caught third base umpire Lance Barrett chastising the Giants manager. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 When the House Committee smeared me on TV and sent letters chastising Northwestern during the Biden administration, suddenly my Palestine solidarity speech became a fireable offense. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 Daemon chastising Ulf and Hugh over their disobedience, sowing the seeds of their discontent. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 So the painting, which is an image of a maternal figure chastising her child, kind of foreshadows the plot. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 June 2026 The governor took to social media on June 24, chastising the president for canceling the bipartisan housing reform package. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 June 2026 Some have been more vocal than others, publicly chastising him for his opacity ahead of what is expected to be a competitive general election race. — Connor Greene, Time, 29 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chastising

Adjective

In recent years, affirmative litigation has become an essential tool for defending against punitive federal policy and recovering public funds, Pines and others said.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Trump has slapped tariffs on the Brazilian economy and punitive sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the chief justice most heavily involved in the prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of punitive

Verb

From behind a tree, Neil and Florence observed Brenda scolding little Neil.

— S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
By the time his daughter shows up, flanked by her mom and upright dentist stepdad, Lee’s moved on from scolding the room to thanking his mother for believing him.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of scolding

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
In addition to punishing women who seek the priesthood, the Catholic Church has also sanctioned male clergy who support those ordinations.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of punishing

Verb

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
For decades, Zinn traveled the country lecturing to packed auditoriums.

— Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of lecturing

Verb

Pentecostal parents Ruth and Marius were accused of domestic violence, with worldwide protests criticizing what dissenters called harsh and hasty steps taken by Norwegian social workers without proper evidence.

— Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
Cofer is criticizing Guerra’s absence from the vote and is asking him to publicly state his position on the partnership.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk ordered the shift, a claim that was bolstered by statements from Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth blaming Musk’s SpaceX for any change.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner earlier in October said that Lewis was acquitted in a previous murder case, blaming police misconduct for the outcome.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of blaming

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chastises

chastising

chastity

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“Chastising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chastising. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of chastising

adjective

verb

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