chasten

[chey-suhn] / ˈtʃeɪ sən /

VERB

correct, humiliate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

penalize

STRONG

abase admonish afflict berate castigate chastise chide cow curb discipline humble objurgate punish rebuke reprehend repress reprimand reproach reprove restrain scold scourge soften subdue tame try upbraid

WEAK

call down exprobate fulminate against have on the carpet rake over the coals take to task tongue-lash

Antonyms

STRONG

aid approve comfort compliment encourage exonerate extol flatter forgive help inspirit laud let go praise promote protect release reward

WEAK

animate assist boost cheer embolden honor uplift

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.

The All Blacks lost only three of 13 matches in 2025, but, when they came, each of those defeats were chastening.

From BBC

Aston Villa bounced back from a chastening defeat at Arsenal to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 on Saturday and climb to second in the Premier League as West Ham collapsed against basement club Wolves.

From Barron's

Well, I was neither totally broke nor fully chastened and was eager to make back my losses.

From Barron's

Third-placed Villa, who beat Arsenal 2-1 at home on December 6, trail six points behind the leaders after a chastening result that served as a reality check to their title credentials.

From Barron's

Marx, W. David concludes with some chastened suggestions for reconstructing a culture capable of producing “artworks that expand the possibilities of human perception.”

From The Wall Street Journal

chasten

Example Sentences

Related Words