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.

Webb was able to take on some of Hong Kong’s most powerful constituencies and castigate regulatory authorities for letting corporate governance issues fester.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

"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

“I think the U.S. has realized that it would be sacrificing the geopolitical utility of the Indo-U.S. relationship if it decides to castigate India.”

From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2023

"I definitely think it's cultural. It's important not to castigate cultural practices around food but also raise awareness about food safety."

From Salon • Aug. 7, 2022

Then what ideas did Mencken hold that made a newspaper like the Commercial Appeal castigate him publicly?

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Vocabulary lists containing castigate

100 SAT words Beginning with "C"

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Grade 11, List 6

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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 1

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