Showing results for chastening. Search instead for chastising.

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

The opening three months have seen a familiar mix: signs of progress, chastening defeats, a coaching change and disruption caused by her health.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Scotland had been heavily criticised for squandering a 21-0 lead in a chastening November loss at home to Argentina.

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City are tasked with chasing down the best team in the world in Premier League leaders Arsenal as he launched a defiant defence of his players after a chastening week.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 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

chastening

Example Sentences

Related Words