chastened
Corrected and subdued
Chastened describes someone who has been humbled or subdued by a difficult experience—made more cautious, modest, or reflective as a result.
A chastened executive emerges from a failed venture with less swagger.
Chastened by the loss, she approached the rematch more carefully.
The word implies correction through consequence rather than punishment.
Reduced in status
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
- abashedEmbarrassed and disconcerted
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
regretful · sheepish · mortified · embarrassed · apologetic · repentant · self-effacing · meek
Officially expressed disapproval
- admonishedWarned or reproved
- scoldedHarshly reprimanded
- rebukedSharply criticized for fault
- correctedFixed what was wrong
punished · reproached · censured · chided · berated · castigated · upbraided · lectured
Improved after abandoning wrongdoing
- correctedFixed what was wrong
- improvedMade superior to before
- changedMade or became different
- soberedMade serious or clear-headed
wiser · tempered · moderated · restrained · self-controlled · rehabilitated · redirected · set straight
One showing remorse
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- guiltyResponsible for wrongdoing
sorry · atonement · penance · contrition · sorrowful · confessional · absolution · seeking forgiveness
humbled
Reduced in status
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
- abashedEmbarrassed and disconcerted
remorseful · regretful · sheepish · mortified · embarrassed · apologetic · repentant · self-effacing · meek · subdued
reprimanded
Officially expressed disapproval
- admonishedWarned or reproved
- scoldedHarshly reprimanded
- rebukedSharply criticized for fault
corrected · punished · reproached · censured · chided · berated · castigated · upbraided · lectured · warned
reformed
Improved after abandoning wrongdoing
sobered · wiser · tempered · moderated · restrained · self-controlled · rehabilitated · redirected · set straight · turned around
penitent
One showing remorse
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
guilty · sorry · atonement · penance · contrition · sorrowful · confessional · absolution · seeking forgiveness · making amends
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted
chastenedloud
High in volume
boisterous · unbowed · unsubdued · uninhibited · raucous