Synonyms

chastise

American

[chas-tahyz, chas-tahyz] / tʃæsˈtaɪz, ˈtʃæs taɪz /

verb (used with object)

chastised, chastising

to discipline, especially by corporal punishment.

Synonyms:

spank, flog, beat, whip, castigate, punish
to criticize severely.
Archaic. to restrain; chasten.
Archaic. to refine; purify.

chastise British

/ tʃæsˈtaɪz-, tʃæsˈtaɪz, ˈtʃæstɪzmənt /

verb

to discipline or punish, esp by beating
to scold severely

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

chastisable adjective
chastisement noun
chastiser noun
nonchastisement noun
self-chastise verb (used with object)
self-chastisement noun
unchastisable adjective
unchastising adjective

Etymology

Origin of chastise

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English chastisen, equivalent to chasti(en) “to chasten ” + -s-, of unknown origin + -en infinitive suffix

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.

Critics of gold use this fact to chastise the proponents of a return to a gold-backed dollar.

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

The media critic side of me wants to chastise Jarecki for prioritizing entertainment value over strictly ordered journalism.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2024

Jeremy Stahl: She really does seem to chastise the progressive justices.

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2024

The way she would chastise him for his dangerous driving but never actually felt unsafe in the car with him?

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2024

“Don’t chastise me. I won’t let you do that.”

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023