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Synonym Chooser

How is the word chasten distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chasten are castigate, chastise, correct, discipline, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When would castigate be a good substitute for chasten?

The synonyms castigate and chasten are sometimes interchangeable, but castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When is chastise a more appropriate choice than chasten?

The meanings of chastise and chasten largely overlap; however, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When could correct be used to replace chasten?

The words correct and chasten can be used in similar contexts, but correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When might discipline be a better fit than chasten?

The words discipline and chasten are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

In what contexts can punish take the place of chasten?

Although the words punish and chasten have much in common, punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chasten In executing their arrest warrant—the first against a sitting South Korean President—law enforcement officials avoided a repeat of tense scenes from Jan. 3, when they were blocked from detaining Yoon for five-and-a-half hours by his security staff, before finally beating a chastening retreat. Charlie Campbell, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025 As should be expected, Ancelotti was reminded about a chastening 0-4 defeat to Hansi Flick's men last time out at the Bernabeu. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 That remains to be seen because, after a chastening first window as sporting director, having only arrived on July 4, the onus is on Mitchell to dovetail with Howe and bolster a first-team squad in need of quality and a refresh. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024 Sunday’s chastening 5-0 loss at home to Liverpool could have been even worse. Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for chasten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chasten
Verb
  • When failure is punished, people stop trying for fear of punishment, and progress slows to a crawl.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Trump’s punishing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China are supposed to begin tomorrow, which will raise prices even higher, bringing more pocketbook pain.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In one sentence, Hegseth turned a conflict, in which Moscow had been roundly diminished and humiliated for three years, into the chaotic re-ordering of continental security, in which Moscow may somehow dominate to its west.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Zachary Basu Feb 15, 2025 - Politics & Policy Trump strangles Europe President Trump stunned, strangled and humiliated Europe — leaving America's closest continental ally dazed and dumbfounded.
    Courtenay Brown, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • And a cover-up may have furthered the aims of domestic espionage operations like the CIA’s CHAOS and the FBI’s COINTELPRO, which targeted and discredited radical movements whether hippies, Black Panthers, or anti-war activists.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Yes, but: King's family is concerned that Trump's order to release records about his assassination could revive the FBI's attempts to discredit him — efforts that sought to exploit his indiscretions with women and undermine his legacy, sources close to his relatives told Axios.
    Russell Contreras, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The rest would sooner expect the AfD to embarrass Germany than to save it.
    Simon Shuster/Berlin, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The rapper has famously pressed people (and embarrassed them) regarding giving him monies owed on social media.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chasten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chasten. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

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