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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 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 Recognition of what Coates is really up to — in The Message and elsewhere — should chasten those who have long treated him as the moral conscience of the West. Tal Fortgang, National Review, 29 Dec. 2024 Speaking to me more recently, Reiss recalled a chastening encounter with an old classmate. Darryn King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chasten 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chasten
Verb
  • The Rally called to end the emergency, and was swiftly punished; one of the coalition leaders spent eighteen years in solitary confinement.
    Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Fraud in petition gathering is a crime, and violators should be punished.
    Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This revelation doesn't go over well with Slowik, who humiliates Tyler, leading to Tyler's suicide.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Someone might like to be humiliated but not negged.
    Fran Tirado, Them, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Kennedy has already begun to discredit public health measures to counter bird flu.
    Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Revoking security clearances of Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, and former intelligence officials who signed a letter discrediting the Hunter Biden laptop story.
    Avery Lotz, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Trump called on Budde and the church to apologize for embarrassing him by allowing Budde to deliver a rare rebuke to his face.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Funny Birthday Messages For Mom Happy birthday to the woman who gave me life – and plenty of embarrassing baby pictures!
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near chasten

Cite this Entry

“Chasten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chasten. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on chasten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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