chasten
verb (used with object)
to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise.
chastened
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past participleof chasten.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof chasten.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
chastenverb (used with object)to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise.
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.
A nominee laser-focused on the general election might have been chastened, hastening to court the 47.6 percent of Democrats who’d backed his opponent.
From Slate ● Nov. 2, 2026
The presenter said he told the teacher "I could call the police on you for that" and that the teacher appeared "chastened."
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
A dozen years later, they were at least somewhat chastened.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
The day of the surprise announcement, a chastened Disney said, “we respect OpenAI’s decision to exit the video generation business and to shift its priorities elsewhere.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026
Inwardly Badenhorst must have been fuming, but outwardly he seemed chastened.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
