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Chastise
Punish or scold someone harshly; rebuke or discipline.
verb💡
Imagine This
The man was mad and punished his cat by chasing after it because it urinated on the carpet.
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Sounds Like
CHAS-tize
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Looks Like
looks like chaste with the ending -ize; visually resembles chastise
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Remember This
Chastise comes from Latin castigare via Old French chastier; it has nothing to do with chastity. It means to rebuke or punish, not to reward.
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Other Forms
chastisementnoun
chastisernoun
chastisingverb (present participle)
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Connect With
Chasten, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, discipline
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Note
Chastise is formal and somewhat severe; in everyday use, synonyms like scold or reprimand are common, while chastise implies punishment or strong discipline.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The coach chastised the players for arriving late to practice.
- The teacher chastised the student for cheating on the exam.
Synonyms
reprimandrebukeadmonishscoldberate
Antonyms
praisecommendapplaud
Etymology
From Latin castigare 'to rebuke, chasten', via Old French chastier; related to the word 'chaste' in appearance but not in meaning.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: CHAS TISE = CHASTE (pure) + ISE; remember that chastise essentially means to chasten (discipline) through correction.
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verbTo compel or force someone to do something through threats, pressure, or coercion.
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adjectiveFixed in position or purpose; unwavering and loyal, showing firm determination and reliability.
Dissolution
nounThe act or process of dissolving a substance in a solvent, or the ending or disbanding of an organization, agreement, or structure.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Chasten
verbTo discipline or punish in order to improve behavior or character.
Discipline
noun1) Training or exercise intended to produce obedience, self-control, and orderly behavior; 2) a branch or field of study; 3) self-control or restraint in thoughts and actions.
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.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
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