Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for chastening.

chastening

ADJECTIVE
excruciating
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acute agonizing exquisite grueling harrowing intense searing severe unbearable
STRONG
burning consuming piercing punishing racking rending shooting stabbing tearing tormenting torturing
WEAK
extreme insufferable sharp torturesome unendurable violent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm dull easy facile mild
WEAK
bearable endurable helpful pleasant pleasing soothing
ADJECTIVE
grueling
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arduous backbreaking brutal demanding excruciating exhausting fierce laborious punishing strenuous tiring torturous trying
WEAK
crushing fatiguing grinding hairy hard harsh heavy racking severe stiff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy effortless facile gentle kind trivial
ADJECTIVE
penal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
punitive
WEAK
corrective penalizing punishing punitory reformatory retributive
NOUN
chastisement
Synonyms
STRONG
castigation criticism discipline penalty rebuke reprimand reproof
Antonyms
STRONG
award compliment forgiveness praise reward
NOUN
deserts
Synonyms
STRONG
chastisement comeuppance compensation deserving discipline disciplining due guerdon lumps meed merit payment penalty punishment recompense requital retribution return revenge reward right
WEAK
get hers get his talion what is coming to one what one is asking for
Antonyms
STRONG
award forgiveness pardon penalty reward sympathy
NOUN
punishment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abuse beating discipline forfeiture retribution sanction suffering torture trial
STRONG
amercement castigation chastisement comeuppance confiscation correction deprivation forfeit gallows infliction lumps maltreatment mortification mulct ostracism pain penance proof purgatory reparation rod sequestration unhappiness victimization
WEAK
disciplinary action hard work punitive measures rough treatment short shrift what for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
award happiness reward
STRONG
indulgence
WEAK
encouragement exoneration praise protection

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.

It is a chastening experience for Vitol, whose partners pride themselves on having dodged many of the pitfalls that hurt rivals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Wales' chastening opening defeat by England was followed by three more losses, but with markedly improved performances and now with the win over Italy, there is hope Steve Tandy's side have turned a corner.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

City suffered one of the most chastening results in their history on Tuesday as the Norwegian minnows claimed their first Champions League group-stage victory.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

But Kjetil Knutsen's underdogs ignored the huge financial and talent gulf between the clubs to inflict a chastening defeat on the Premier League giants.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Isaac was laughing, but Patrick raised a chastening finger and said, “Augustus, please. Let’s return to you and your struggles. You said you fear oblivion?”

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green