CASTIGATION Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

castigation

noun

Definition of castigation

as in punishment

suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense the loss of his father's trust was the harshest castigation that the boy could have possibly received for having told the lie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 castigation Not everyone on the right is onboard with the Kimmel castigation. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026 The standoff centered on the now-former assistant attorney general’s public and internal castigation of pediatric gender medicine. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026 His reverence for hip-hop led to a poignant self-reflection on whether his new approach would be the subject of castigation among the hip-hop faithful. — Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025 Apart from its castigation of non-fossil energy, the strategy document in some ways departs from the Biden administration more in style than substance. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 9 Dec. 2025 Links with nonprofit group The recent castigations from progressive Democrats were driven in part by the Opportunity Caucus’s ties to One Main Street. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025 Like legions of dreamers before him, McGuirk started on film and TV sets as a PA, an often thankless job where random castigations from members of the cast or crew can be par for the course. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for castigation

Noun

Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.

— Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Hisbah members also face widespread allegations of rights abuses in their enforcement operations, including subjecting offenders to dehumanizing punishments such as public beatings or shaming.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of punishment

Noun

Despite Erasmus’s wrath, the Renaissance cut-and-pasters were on a roll—for a while.

— Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
There are a couple of shocking narrative twists at the end, with Alice potentially unleashing her wrath, and the revelation of Catherine’s role in Isabel’s death.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrath

Noun

After offside penalty on the Hawks on the PAT, the Warriors go for two and failed to convert on a wide receiver reverse.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Fisk and Overton use three surveys to trace how expectations of harsher penalties for failure can dampen women’s leadership ambitions.

— Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of penalty

Browse Nearby Words

castigating

castigation

castigations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Castigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/castigation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of castigation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes