chasten
verb (used with object)
to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise.
have chastened
-
present perfectof chasten.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
Shale drillers are heeding growing calls from investors who have chastened the companies for pumping ever more oil and gas even as they incur losses doing so.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2018
More important, one hopes that the failings of Carbide, BP, and far too many other corporations in between have chastened industry leaders, encouraging them to enforce more stringent preventive safety policies and emergency response plans.
From BusinessWeek ● Nov. 26, 2014
Wouldn't Tracy Lord have chastened Dexter with a blithe reprimand and moved on?
From Time Magazine Archive
That prospect may already have chastened the Prime Minister.
From Time Magazine Archive
Submission and self-sacrifice are stern, sad angels, but in time one learns to know and love them, for when they have chastened, they uplift and bless.
From Work: a Story of Experience by Louisa May Alcott
