castigates
Severely dresses down
Castigates means severely criticizes or reprimands.
The word implies harsh verbal punishment—a thorough dressing-down rather than gentle correction: The editorial castigates politicians for their inaction.
Someone who castigates another intends to shame or rebuke them forcefully.
The noun is castigation; the tone is formal and the criticism unsparing.
Formal expressions of disapproval
- rebukesCriticizes sharply for wrongdoing
- scoldsHarshly criticizes aloud
- beratesScolds severely
- chastisesVerbally disciplines for wrongdoing
admonishes · reproaches · upbraids · censures · denounces · lambasts · lectures · chides
Expresses severe disapproval
- denouncesPublicly criticizes harshly
- censuresFormally expresses strong disapproval
- criticizesExpresses unfavorable judgment
- disapprovesJudges negatively
judges · moralizes · decries · vilifies · pillories · shames · stigmatizes · reproaches
reprimands
Formal expressions of disapproval
chastises · admonishes · reproaches · upbraids · censures · denounces · lambasts · lectures · chides · reproves
condemns
Expresses severe disapproval
- denouncesPublicly criticizes harshly
- censuresFormally expresses strong disapproval
- criticizesExpresses unfavorable judgment
disapproves · judges · moralizes · decries · vilifies · pillories · shames · stigmatizes · reproaches · accuses
- criticismscriticizes, disparages, condemns, denounces, censures
- punishespunishes, penalizes, disciplines, chastises, corrects
castigatespraises
Verbally commends
lauds · commends · extols · compliments · applauds
castigate, castigation, castigated, castigating, castigations