chasten

American  

[chey-suhn] / ˈtʃeɪ sən /

verb (used with object)

1. to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise.

   Synonyms:

   punish, discipline

   Antonyms:

   indulge

2. to restrain; subdue.

   Age has chastened his violent temper.

   Synonyms:

   humble

3. to make chaste in style.

   Synonyms:

   simplify, purify

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chasten British  

/ ˈtʃeɪsən /

verb

1. to bring to a state of submission; subdue; tame

2. to discipline or correct by punishment

3. to moderate; restrain; temper

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Usage

What does chasten mean? To chasten is to discipline, punish, or severely criticize, especially with the intention of improving someone’s behavior.Chasten has many shades of meaning that are all somewhat similar. It can mean to tame or subdue, or to moderate or restrain someone’s behavior. In all cases, it typically involves some form of discipline or negative consequences for the person being chastened.Chasten is a relatively formal word, and so are its close synonyms (like chastise, castigate, and reprimand), but it’s probably used less commonly than they are.It’s often associated with Christian or other religious language due to its use in some translations of the Bible.Example: My grandfather grew up in a boarding school, where he was chastened for even the most minor infractions.

Other Word Forms

• chastener noun
• chasteningly adverb
• chastenment noun
• unchastened adjective

Etymology

Origin of chasten

1520–30; chaste + -en ¹; replacing chaste (v.), Middle English chastien < Old French chastier < Latin castigāre; castigate

Example Sentences

It is almost a rite of passage for a successful England team to first suffer a chastening Calcutta Cup loss at Murrayfield.

From Barron's

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

From Barron's

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

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

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

Related Words

• penalize