(ˈ)cha|stīz, -aas- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English chastisen, alteration of chastien — more at chasten
1. : to inflict pain or suffering on for punishment or reformation
chastise children by spanking
2.
a. now dialect : reprove , rebuke , scold
b. : to censure severely in denunciation or in an attempt to correct or improve : castigate
the world of moral and intellectual weaklings that she felt herself appointed to chastise — Tennessee Williams
3. archaic : chasten 2
Synonyms: see punish