chastise

[chas-tahyz, chas-tahyz]

verb (used with object)

chastised, chastising 

1. to discipline, especially by corporal punishment.

   Synonyms: spank, flog, beat, whip, castigate, punish

2. to criticize severely.

3. Archaic.,  to restrain; chasten.

4. Archaic.,  to refine; purify.

chastise

/ tʃæsˈtaɪz-, tʃæsˈtaɪz, ˈtʃæstɪzmənt /

verb

1. to discipline or punish, esp by beating

2. to scold severely

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chastise¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chastise¹

C14 chastisen, irregularly from chastien to _chasten

Example Sentences

Miss Mexico was crowned Miss Universe in Thailand on Friday, strutting to victory after the beauty pageant's host had publicly chastised her, among several dramatic missteps in the run-up to the final stage.

Read more on Barron's

Streams of comments poured in chastising the chef for his hand in the business and its ties to Tesla’s chief executive, controversial figure and world’s richest person Elon Musk.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I feel like I’m being chastised by Ma for not wanting to join a million clubs at school.

Read more on Literature

The pop band Muna chastised some of their supporters for "spreading falsehoods about us and our loved ones for clout and attention"; while Doja Cat called out "creepy" behaviour from a section of her fanbase.

Read more on BBC

“I think everybody deserves to know what is happening in their community and to be able to voice their concern, and shouldn’t be chastised or villainized for having a response or a fear.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• berate 
• castigate 
• censure 
• flog 
• lash 
• punish 
• upbraid