Synonyms of castigating

castigating 1 of 2

adjective

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment

a castigating task that succeeds in doing nothing more than making the lives of the inmates miserable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• punitive
• correcting
• correctional
• corrective
• disciplining
• disciplinary
• chastising
• penal
• penalizing
• chastening
• retaliatory
• retributive
• revengeful
• vengeful
• wrathful
• retributory
• retaliative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compensatory
• nonpunitive
• vindicating
• exculpatory
• exonerating
• exculpating
• condoning
• remitting
• pardoning
• absolving
• commuting
• acquitting
• reprieving

castigating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of castigate

1

as in scolding

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

castigated him for his constant tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scolding
• lecturing
• reprimanding
• criticizing
• blaming
• berating
• chastising
• upbraiding
• admonishing
• lambasting
• rebuking
• attacking
• reproaching
• mocking
• flaying
• ragging
• jawing
• hammering
• faulting
• ranting (at)
• chiding
• reaming (out)
• calling down
• dressing down
• scoring
• basting
• bawling out
• rating
• railing (at or against)
• condemning
• keelhauling
• denouncing
• tongue-lashing
• chewing out
• slamming
• excoriating
• laying into
• crucifying
• assailing
• lashing
• reviling
• ridiculing
• reproving
• disparaging
• haranguing
• censuring
• belittling
• knocking
• reading the riot act (to)
• blasting
• taking to task
• remonstrating (with)
• panning
• abusing
• scoffing
• scorning
• bad-mouthing
• scourging
• lacing (into)
• dissing
• vituperating
• reprehending
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approving
• endorsing
• sanctioning
• praising
• extolling
• lauding

2

as in attacking

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

a newspaper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the first place

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attacking
• slamming
• scolding
• criticizing
• abusing
• insulting
• excoriating
• blasting
• lambasting
• assailing
• savaging
• scathing
• bashing
• cursing
• trashing
• berating
• jumping (on)
• harassing
• tying into
• belaboring
• reprimanding
• sailing into
• reviling
• vituperating
• haranguing
• blaspheming
• disparaging
• potshotting
• belittling
• slandering
• vilifying
• chiding
• harrying
• chastising
• affronting
• beating up on
• whipping
• libeling
• execrating
• slurring
• rebuking
• lighting into
• profaning
• traducing
• fulminating
• bad-mouthing
• imprecating
• lacing (into)
• lashing (out)
• aspersing
• blackguarding
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praising
• commending
• complimenting
• hailing
• lauding
• acclaiming

3

as in punishing

to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime

a judge who believes in castigating criminals to the full extent of the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

• punishing
• criticizing
• chastising
• penalizing
• fining
• disciplining
• correcting
• assessing
• chastening
• sentencing
• imposing
• convicting
• condemning
• denouncing
• levying
• charging
• reprimanding
• rebuking
• mulcting
• docking
• damning
• reproving
• wreaking
• keelhauling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• excusing
• sparing
• pardoning
• releasing
• forfeiting
• getting off
• commuting
• ransoming
• vindicating
• absolving
• exonerating
• acquitting
• exculpating
• reprieving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of castigating

Verb

New York streets were plastered with posters calling for a boycott of the gala, castigating the couple over their conspicuous displays of wealth and accusing them of attempting to buy their way into fashion’s high society. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026

El-Sayed is running on Medicare for All while castigating corporate influence in politics. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 20 July 2026

Yet with the same breath many are castigating Kang, others are denouncing clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid for not investing more into their women’s team. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 May 2026

At the previous Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on March 9, Steve Juliusson offered up T-shirts castigating the Winnetka Park District. — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Trump returned to power in 2024 by promising affordability, castigating the Biden Administration over inflation, and appealing to what his aides described as nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 2 Apr. 2026

Rather than confronting Scrooge with things beyond his human comprehension — immutable calm, boundless generosity, pitiless void — all three spirits simply end up castigating him. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025

The Georgia Republican emerged as a rare voice castigating her party for failing to adequately prepare for the looming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which Greene has noted will affect many of her constituents and even her adult children. — Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 11 Nov. 2025

In recent days, the hits have come from all sides, with her 2022 challenger, billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso, castigating Bass in the media for her absence and handling of the fire. — Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025