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Showing results for castigate.
Definitions

castigate

[kas-ti-geyt] / ˈkæs tɪˌgeɪt /
VERB
criticize severely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
berate censure chastise criticize excoriate flog lambaste lash penalize pummel punish rebuke reprimand scold upbraid
STRONG
baste beat blister cane chasten correct discipline drub flay rail rate ream scarify scorch scourge thrash whip
WEAK
bawl out chew out come down on drag over the coals dress down jump down one's throat lay out lean on read the riot act scathe tongue-lash
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve compliment exonerate flatter forgive laud praise reward
STRONG
aid assist guard help lose protect surrender

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"You will be the same person that will castigate us if we acquiesce to accepting Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria," he added.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2025

Imagine how much you would have to hate life to castigate someone for laughing.

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2024

Vanessa Bryant has waged an intense battle with the county, even using her social media cachet to castigate the sheriff and name the deputies linked to the photo scandal.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2021

But I am not here to castigate you.

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2020

You were happy with the other two, I castigate myself.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.