castigation

[ kas-ti-gey-shuhn ]

noun

1. severe criticism or harsh scolding; censure:

   The speaker segued inexplicably from a calm informational tone into a full-throated castigation of anyone and everyone associated with the administration.

   The impassioned responses to my essay range from ardent appreciation to virulent castigation.

Other Words From

• non·cas·ti·ga·tion noun
• self-cas·ti·ga·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of castigation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, for an earlier sense; from Latin castīgātiōn-, stem of castīgātiō “chastisement, a chastening,” from castigāre “to chasten”; castigate ( def ), -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

Like blind castigation, blind acclamation is done for its own sake and has little to do with the object of praise.

From The Daily Beast

I came here with the intention of giving you a castigation for your impertinent mention of a lady.

From Project Gutenberg

And forthwith were summoned the two burly officials whose unpopular duty it was to administer castigation.

From Project Gutenberg

After this castigation he spent the night in the crypt, fasting and barefooted.

From Project Gutenberg

And when that shallow charlatan sneered at him in print, he left to Boileau the castigation that was so thoroughly given.

From Project Gutenberg

The timely castigation had been administered by a police-officer appointed to superintend the funeral.

From Project Gutenberg