chastise

/tʃæˈstaɪz/

Group 22Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(verb)
To rebuke or reprimand severely
GRE

Example in Context

The editorial chastised elected officials for their failure to act on climate change despite decades of scientific warnings.

Synonyms

punishscolddiscipline

Etymology

To punish or correct someone severely, often through verbal reprimand.

  • castigare (Latin) — to punish

Memory Aid

👨‍🏫Sounds like “chastise

When the teacher CHASTISES a student, it’s like being hit with a thousand CHALK pieces!

Visual Association

🗣️A teacher wagging a finger at a student, delivering a stern lecture that echoes through the classroom.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “chastise” mean on the GRE?

chastise (verb) means “To rebuke or reprimand severely”. The editorial chastised elected officials for their failure to act on climate change despite decades of scientific warnings.

How to remember “chastise” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “chastise” sounds like “chastise”. When the teacher CHASTISES a student, it’s like being hit with a thousand CHALK pieces!

What are synonyms for “chastise”?

Common synonyms: punish, scold, discipline.