castigate
/'kæstigeit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To criticize or reprimand severely: To subject to harsh verbal criticism or condemnation, often with the intent to correct or reform.
- To punish severely, especially by public criticism: To inflict a severe penalty, which may be verbal or written censure, for a fault or offense.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- The newspaper editorial castigated the mayor for his handling of the crisis.
- The teacher castigated the student for plagiarizing the essay.
- He was publicly castigated by the committee for his ethical violations.
Advanced Usage
- "to castigate someone for something": This is the most common construction, specifying both the target and the reason for the severe criticism.
- The director castigated the actor for being consistently late to rehearsals.
- "to castigate someone as [something negative]": To describe or label someone harshly in the criticism.
- The critic castigated the novel as being shallow and derivative.
Variants and Related Words
- Castigation (noun): The act or result of castigating; severe criticism or punishment.
- He faced public castigation for his remarks.
- Castigator (noun): A person who castigates.
- She was a fierce castigator of corporate greed.
Synonyms
- Chastise: To criticize severely; to rebuke.
- Reprimand: To scold or criticize formally.
- Berate: To scold or criticize angrily and at length.
- Censure: To express severe disapproval, often formally.
Antonyms
- Praise: To express warm approval or admiration.
- Commend: To praise formally or officially.
- Applaud: To show approval or praise by clapping or by expressed approval.
Related Phrases
- To subject to castigation: To be made the target of severe criticism.
- The policy was subjected to fierce castigation in the press.
- A blistering castigation: An extremely harsh and severe criticism.
- The review was a blistering castigation of the film's plot.
Verb
- inflict severe punishment on
- censure severely
- She chastised him for his insensitive remarks