Castigate is a formalused in serious or official situations, not casual conversation verb. It most often means to severelyin a very harsh or intense way criticizeto point out faults or judge negatively someone, especially for something they did wrong. It can also mean to punish someone harshly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈkæstəˌɡeɪt/
Easy pronunciation: KAS-tuh-gate (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable, with secondary stress on the last syllable.
Used in the sense of to severely criticize someone.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Castigate Meaning
to criticize harshly and officially, often for doing something wrong
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to severely criticize someone
Example: The minister was castigated by the press for his comments.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- chasten — Can fit in the sense of stern criticism, though it often suggests making someone feel more humble or disciplined.
- chastise — A strong and close synonym for severe criticism.
- correct — Only works in the sense of reprimanding or trying to improve behavior, not as a full substitute in all uses.
- objurgate — A formal synonym meaning to rebuke strongly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Castigate
Meaning 2
to punish someone very harshly
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to inflict severe punishment on someone
Example: The soldiers were castigated for disobeying orders.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Castigate Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- chastise
- objurgate
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use castigate to mean any criticism, but it usually implies strong, formal criticism.
- It is not a casual synonym for 'insult' or 'argue with.'
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does castigate mean in simple words?
It means to criticize someone very strongly, or to punish them severely.
Is castigate a positive or negative word?
It is negative. It usually describes harsh criticism or punishment.
What are common synonyms for castigate?
Common synonyms include chastise and objurgate. Depending on the sense, it can also overlap with chasten or correct.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.