Castigate
To punish severely; to criticize harshly
verbCastigate
To punish severely; to criticize harshly
verbImagine This
A vibrant garden where flowers are gently pruned, symbolizing the process of nurturing growth and improvement.
Sounds Like
CAST-uh-geyt
Looks Like
Looks like: cast + gate (the word visually resembles 'cast' and 'gate')
Remember This
The public harshly criticized the brutal crime, and the criminal received a life sentence.
Other Forms
Note
Castigate is stronger than chastise; do not confuse with 'cast' (to throw). Use for harsh punishment or condemnation.
Study Deeper
- The editor castigated the columnist for careless reporting.
- The coach castigated the players for their sloppy defense.
From Latin castigare 'to chasten, rebuke', from castus 'chaste, pure' + agere 'to drive'.
Castigate sounds like cast a gate; imagine someone casting a gate aside as a severe rebuke to remember harsh punishment or strong disapproval.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Denounce
verbTo publicly condemn or criticize something or someone.
Chastise
verbPunish or scold someone harshly; rebuke or discipline.
Condemn
verbTo express strong disapproval of something or someone, and to declare them unfit, wrong, or deserving of punishment; in a legal sense, to sentence a person to punishment.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.