Definition

1. 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

1. inflict severe punishment on
2. censure severely
   • She chastised him for his insensitive remarks