castigation

American  

[kas-ti-gey-shuhn] / ˌkæs tɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. severe criticism or harsh scolding; censure.

   The speaker segued inexplicably from a calm informational tone into a full-throated castigation of anyone and everyone associated with the administration.

   The impassioned responses to my essay range from ardent appreciation to virulent castigation.

---

Other Word Forms

• noncastigation noun
• self-castigation noun

Etymology

Origin of castigation

First recorded in 1350–1400, for an earlier sense; from Latin castīgātiōn-, stem of castīgātiō “chastisement, a chastening,” from castigāre “to chasten”; castigate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Explanation

If your coach yells at your team for sloppy play, her post-game speech might be called a castigation. A castigation is a harsh verbal reprimand. No one likes to be on the receiving end of castigation. The word comes from the Latin castigus which means "to make pure." Try to remember during castigation that the castigator is, in their own misguided way, trying to make you a better person. But that may be hard to think of when someone is bawling you out.

Example Sentences

The frequent castigation of Versailles in popular histories over the past century has established a narrative implying that seeking justice for international crimes will boomerang, and that wise statesmen should know better.

From Salon • Aug. 19, 2023

“Then use the media’s castigation of you for keeping your mouth shut as a dog whistle to the base?” she added.

From New York Times • May 25, 2022

He said, especially given the Astros’ behavior during a 2017 season in which they defeated the Dodgers in the World Series, Kelly’s castigation didn’t feel just.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2020

But because they went to Mexico City and exercised their protest before the world, they became icons who this month are being celebrated after lives lived so long in castigation.

From Washington Post • Oct. 16, 2018

So the next day after my disciplinary castigation, Joe walked aft in his watch below demanding audience of the skipper.

From The Log of a Sea-Waif Being Recollections of the First Four Years of My Sea Life by Bullen, Frank T.