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-; tʃæsˈtaɪz; ˈtʃæstɪzmənt /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• chastisement, noun
• chasˈtiser, 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 is why Fox News reporter Peter Doocy can chastise the White House for calling Donald Trump a threat to democracy – when Trump’s own words have done that.

From Salon

Liam Kelly of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland said the letter sent to Mr Boutcher by the permanent secretary of the Department of Justice appeared to be a "high-handed attempt to gag, embarrass and chastise" him.

From BBC

While Pittman did impose the injunction, he used a significant portion of his order to chastise the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for sending this case back to him after he had already ruled that the case should be handled out of Washington.

From Seattle Times

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

From Salon

Ancora said in a statement that “it’s disingenuous for Mr. Shaw and his board to chastise us for not having stakeholder support on one hand — and then lash out at us for appropriately obtaining support on the other hand.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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