chastise

[chas-tahyz, chas-tahyz]

verb (used with object)

chastised, chastising 

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

Other Word Forms

• chastisable adjective
• chastisement noun
• chastiser noun
• nonchastisement noun
• self-chastise verb (used with object)
• self-chastisement noun
• unchastisable adjective
• unchastising 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

Others described being "Chris-napped", when Brain would drive them around in his car while he chastised them, and then often froze them out for several weeks before getting back in touch.

From BBC

His father both supported his troubled son and chastised his namesake, whose struggles included substance abuse, legal troubles and challenges in making weight for his bouts.

From Los Angeles Times

We chastise people for being unhealthy while building — or at least tolerating — a world where unhealthy options aren’t just available; they’re the default.

From Salon

"This is not about chastising any artist at a different point in their career on how much they're charging for their tickets," he said.

From BBC

Part of the issue is that kindness has, in the community’s time of crisis, been deemed “inappropriate” — the word Principal Marcus uses when chastising Justine for driving a stranded kid home.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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