chastise

[ chas-tahyz, chas-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, chas·tised, chas·tis·ing.

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-; ˈtʃæstɪzmənt; tʃæsˈtaɪz /

verb

1. to discipline or punish, esp by beating
2. to scold severely

Derived Forms

• chasˈtiser, noun
• chastisement, noun
• chasˈtisable, adjective

Other Words From

• chas·tis·a·ble adjective
• chas·tise·ment [chas, -tiz-m, uh, nt, chas-, tahyz, -], noun
• chas·tis·er noun
• non·chas·tise·ment noun
• self-chas·tise verb (used with object) selfchastised selfchastising
• self-chas·tise·ment noun
• un·chas·tis·a·ble adjective
• un·chas·tis·ing 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

It’s quite revealing how Ann Coulter chastised the Clinton camp for branding Paula Jones trailer trash, only to turn around and call her trailer trash when she posed for Playboy.

From The Daily Beast

So, I accepted the job, packed up my life and moved to a new city, feeling grateful for the opportunity and chastising myself for not asking for even a tiny, ego-preserving salary bump.

From Washington Post

Many on the right are chastising critical race theory and challenging whether such a thing as systemic racism exists.

From Washington Post

Hunt’s cousin, William Spencer, chastised Welker in a private letter.

From Washington Post

Harvard professor Cornel West and his co-author chastised Howard’s removal of their classics department, deeming it a “spiritual catastrophe.”

From Ozy

When it appears it is largely used to chastise transsexuals and to promote celibacy.

From The Daily Beast

We ask our celebrities to pour their hearts out, and then chastise them if they stain our buttoned-up shirts.

From The Daily Beast

Various social-media sites and platforms have begun to chastise the new sports darling for, of all things, the upkeep of her hair.

From The Daily Beast

A husband cannot chastise his wife, but he may use force to restrain her from committing a violent criminal wrong.

From Project Gutenberg

And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity he forsaketh them not.

From Project Gutenberg

Fearing for the safety of Galway, Sidney prepared to chastise the rebels in person.

From Project Gutenberg

My opinion was that half a dozen lackeys should be sent to chastise monsieur, but mademoiselle decided otherwise.

From Project Gutenberg

He would have given much to be able to chastise the insolent Englishman then and there.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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