castigate

[ kas-ti-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

castigated, castigating.

1. to criticize or reprimand severely.

   Synonyms: reprove, censure, scold

2. to punish in order to correct.

   Synonyms: chasten, chastise, discipline

castigate

/ ˈkæstɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. tr to rebuke or criticize in a severe manner; chastise

Derived Forms

• ˈcastiˌgator, noun
• ˌcastiˈgation, noun
• ˌcastiˈgatory, adjective

Other Word Forms

• cas·ti·ga·tion [kas-ti-, gey, -sh, uh, n] noun
• cas·ti·ga·tive cas·ti·ga·to·ry [kas, -ti-g, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• cas·ti·ga·tor noun
• non·cas·ti·gat·ing adjective
• self-cas·ti·gat·ing adjective
• un·cas·ti·gat·ed adjective
• un·cas·ti·ga·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of castigate¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin castīgātus literally, “driven to be faultless” (past participle of castigāre “to chasten”), equivalent to cast(us) “pure, clean” + -īg-, combining form of agere “to drive, incite” + -ātus past participle suffix; chaste, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of castigate¹

C17: from Latin castīgāre to correct, punish, from castum pure + agere to compel (to be)

Example Sentences

Booker castigated the Senate and his own party for failing to stand up to Trump.

From Salon

When a judge ordered the restoration of public health data that had been removed from government websites, he was summarily castigated by Elon Musk as “evil” and someone who “must be fired.”

From Salon

Since coming to power, Trump has castigated his European Nato allies, urged them to increase defence spending and generally insisted that Europe needs to take responsibility for protecting its own interests.

From BBC

Vance had castigated him in the Oval Office for not thanking Trump, even though the Ukrainian leader has thanked the US dozens of times for its military support.

From BBC

The chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee told GOP lawmakers Tuesday to avoid in-person town halls and the negative publicity of attendees castigating them for supporting President Donald Trump's steep government cuts.

From Salon

Related Words

• berate
• censure
• chastise
• criticize
• excoriate
• flog
• lambaste
• lash
• penalize
• pummel
• punish
• rebuke
• reprimand
• scold
• upbraid