Meaning & use
chastising
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“chastising” is a form of “chastise”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitiveformal
Present participle of chastise: criticizing or scolding someone severely for doing something wrong.
Grammar: Takes an object: chastising the team; the person is often followed by for.
Patterns
- chastising someone for something
The coach was chastising the players for their lack of effort.
She spent the whole meeting chastising her staff for the late report.
He felt guilty, chastising himself for forgetting the date.
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Expressing sharp disapproval or criticism of someone's behavior.
Grammar: Comes before a noun: a chastising look.
Patterns
- a chastising tone
She gave him a chastising glance across the table.
The editorial took a chastising tone toward the mayor.
His chastising words made the class go quiet.
Common combinations
- chastising someone for something
- The principal was chastising them for running in the hall.
- chastising tone
- He spoke in a chastising tone that made everyone uncomfortable.
- chastising look
- Her mother gave her a chastising look.
- publicly chastising
- Publicly chastising employees rarely improves morale.
- chastising oneself
- Stop chastising yourself over one small mistake.
Synonyms and how they differ
- scolding
- Scolding is the everyday word, usually used for a child or a minor mistake, while chastising sounds more formal and severe.
- reprimanding
- Reprimanding suggests an official or workplace rebuke, whereas chastising can be personal.
- rebuking
- Rebuking is stronger and more formal, often with moral disapproval.
- criticizing
- Criticizing is broader and need not involve anger, while chastising is an angry correction.
Opposites
Word family
- chastise verb
- to scold severely
- chastisement noun
- a severe scolding or punishment
- chastised adjective
- made to feel guilty after being scolded
Commonly confused: chastising or chasten? chastising or chastity?
chastising vs chasten
Chasten means to make someone more modest or humble through a hard experience, while chastise means to scold.
chastising vs chastity
Chastity is about sexual purity and is not related to scolding.
Practice
The manager was ____ the staff for ignoring the safety rules.
Choose one answer.
Chastising means scolding, which fits the ignored rules. Praising, thanking and promoting would be rewards.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “chastising”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.