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castigation

castigation

1 9.0
Severe criticism or punishment using harsh words
  • noun
  • /ˌkæs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : castigo
  • India stepped up its castigation of the NPT and demanded that it should be treated as an "equal" of the five nuclear-weapons states.
  • self-castigation

Examples

  • The teacher's castigation left the student feeling humiliated and ashamed.

  • Treadwell ran the meeting, of course, keeping everyone alert with a brilliant blend of education, motivation, and castigation.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Instead, I got bizarre rituals and castigation for not following rules seemingly designed to trip you up so you could be castigated.

    Blog text (11)
  • Not surprisingly, the Bozano Simonsen group was singled out for castigation.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The separation from spiritual friends, the public castigation of one as a sinner, is a true loss, a powerful duress, and a public humiliation.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Behind Chambers's and Hornaday's castigations of one group of women in favor of another was a struggle to justify women's very presence in education.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Such castigations underscore Mormonism's (imperfectly) inclusive ideas on race in the midst of other American Christian racial beliefs.

    Academic text (2018)
  • After the team's poor performance, the coach's castigation was both harsh and necessary.

  • Public castigation for his controversial remarks led the politician to apologize immediately.

Synonyms

punishment
vscastigation
720 1.3

An action that makes someone suffer for breaking a rule, like a fine or time in prison

often uses words rather than physical penalty to make severity clear
censure
vscastigation
  • Formal
141 7.4

A formal statement expressing strong disapproval of someone

is similar but also covers harsh personal words or punitive actions
condemnation
vscastigation
56 5.5

A strong statement saying someone or something is wrong

adds harsher words or actual penalties beyond mere disapproval
bashing
vscastigation
  • NSFW
32 4.4

Harsh repeated criticism of a person or their ideas

can be repeated too but also includes formal or punitive elements
vilification
vscastigation
  • Formal
6 8.4

Saying or writing very harsh and unfair things about someone to damage their reputation

covers similar public blame but also private punishment with words
earful
vscastigation
  • Informal
5 6.5

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did wrong

may be angry too but also covers formal or lasting penalties
tongue-lashing
vscastigation
  • Informal
5 7.6

A strong angry talk that scolds someone for a mistake

can be immediate scolding too but may lead to punishment later
harsh criticism
vscastigation
4 4.2

Very strong negative comments that show disapproval

is similar but more likely to include formal or punitive action
harsh judgment
vscastigation
3 3.9

Strong negative opinion that is unkind or too strict

includes that severity but also may involve formal punishment
opprobrium
vscastigation
  • Formal
3 9.9

Strong public shame and criticism for doing something very wrong

can cause public shame too but also includes direct punitive words
chastisement
vscastigation
  • Formal
3 7.2

A strong spoken scolding for a mistake

can be corrective too but often harsher and possibly punitive
vituperation
vscastigation
  • Offensive
1 9.9

People say very angry insulting words to attack someone

is equally harsh but may be formal or punitive as well
berating
vscastigation
1 6.3

A strong angry talk that tells someone they did something wrong

is also a harsh reprimand but may include formal penalty
excoriation
vscastigation
  • Formal
1 9.1

Very strong criticism that openly attacks a person

is similarly severe but can include punishment as well as words
upbraiding
vscastigation
1 8.5

A harsh telling off given for a serious mistake

can be just reproach but also includes punishment beyond words
dressing down
vscastigation
  • Informal
1 6.1

A severe scolding from someone in charge, often in front of other people

can be emphatic too but also implies formal disciplining or penalty
stricture
vscastigation
  • Formal
1 8.2

A strong criticism of a person or action

is broader and can be either formal criticism or punishment
going-over
vscastigation
  • UK
1 7.4

A strong scolding you get for doing something wrong

is similar but may focus more on punishment than detail
chewing out
vscastigation
  • Informal
1 7.0

A severe scolding for doing something wrong

can be direct too but also includes formal or physical punishment
what for
vscastigation
  • Informal
1 8.8

A strong scolding you get when someone is angry with you

is similar but may be harsher and include actual penalty
wite
vscastigation
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A punishment or strong blame for doing something wrong

is similar in penalty meaning but modern usage stresses harsh words
revilement
vscastigation
  • Offensive
9.3

A set of harsh insulting words meant to hurt someone

can be insulting too but often adds formal blame or penalty
objurgation
vscastigation
  • Formal
9.9

A strong angry criticism that someone gives to another person

is like a rebuke but can also mean imposing penalty or shame
bawling out
vscastigation
  • Informal
7.6

A loud, angry talk that tells someone they made a mistake

can be loud too but also includes formal censure or punishment
keelhauling
vscastigation
9.9

A severe scolding given to someone for a serious mistake

can be extreme too but often stresses harsh words as punishment

Antonyms

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

commendation
  • Formal
39 6.8

An official award or letter praising someone for good work

How Severe

vilification
  • Formal
6 8.4
condemnation
56 5.5
castigation
  • Formal
1 9.0
rebuke
22 6.8
criticism
512 3.0
to critique
48 6.7

Surface Forms

castigation singular
castigations plural

Morphology

castigation = castigate (transparent) = castigate + ion

The noun 'castigation' is transparently derived from the verb 'castigate' by adding the suffix '-ion', indicating the action or process of castigation.

Etymology

The word castigation comes from the old Latin verb castigare, which meant 'to correct', and from castus meaning 'pure'. Think of it as a harsh way to 'clean' or fix someone's behavior, which is why today it means severe criticism or punishment.