castigate

[ kas-ti-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, cas·ti·gat·ed, cas·ti·gat·ing.

1. to criticize or reprimand severely.

   Synonyms: reprove, censure, scold

2. to punish in order to correct.

   Synonyms: chasten, chastise, discipline

castigate

/ ˈkæstɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. tr to rebuke or criticize in a severe manner; chastise

Derived Forms

• ˌcastiˈgation, noun
• ˈcastiˌgator, noun
• ˌcastiˈgatory, adjective

Other Words From

• cas·ti·ga·tion [kas-ti-, gey, -sh, uh, n] noun
• cas·ti·ga·tive cas·ti·ga·to·ry [kas, -ti-g, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• cas·ti·ga·tor noun
• non·cas·ti·gat·ing adjective
• self-cas·ti·gat·ing adjective
• un·cas·ti·gat·ed adjective
• un·cas·ti·ga·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of castigate¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin castīgātus literally, “driven to be faultless” (past participle of castigāre “to chasten”), equivalent to cast(us) “pure, clean” + -īg-, combining form of agere “to drive, incite” + -ātus past participle suffix; chaste, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of castigate¹

C17: from Latin castīgāre to correct, punish, from castum pure + agere to compel (to be)

Example Sentences

Instead, they were commonly castigated as naive, unpatriotic or even appeasing terrorists.

From Washington Post

Jack Ma’s absence from public eye sparks Twitter discussionsMa last appeared publicly at a conference where he castigated China’s financial regulatory system in front of a room of high-ranking officials.

From TechCrunch

Judge Walker seemed to agree, castigating the state throughout his decision.

From Vox

Because, like Eliot Spitzer, if Falwell had not been outed, you can bet he’d be castigating people publicly for that which he enjoyed privately.

From Ozy

“You can castigate the leaders; you can try and divide us by generation,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

Gingrich also scored points with the media elite that he loves to castigate.

From The Daily Beast

Critics castigate other banks for abusing individual investors.

From The Daily Beast

Matt Bennett, of the Democratic group Third Way, expects Democrats to castigate the Tea Party as “reckless.”

From The Daily Beast

No, she wouldn't castigate old Major Roper for tattling, and at the same time cross-examine him for her own purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

A few passages will suffice to show that Germany is not quite devoid of straight-forward men, who dare to castigate hate.

From Project Gutenberg

Except for Forster and other pupils of Oughtred who urged him on to castigate Delamain, the controversy might never have arisen.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a new road to happiness, if you have strength enough to castigate a little the various impulses that sway you in turn.

From Project Gutenberg

The company, or companies, of soldiers will be first detailed for the arduous duties of the field to castigate the Indians.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• berate
• censure
• chastise
• criticize
• excoriate
• flog
• lambaste
• lash
• penalize
• pummel
• punish
• rebuke
• reprimand
• scold
• upbraid