chastening
Corrective trial endured
Chastening is discipline or correction that humbles—punishment meant to improve character rather than merely penalize.
The word carries moral weight: a chastening experience, a chastening defeat.
What chastens you leaves you sobered, perhaps wiser: The market crash had a chastening effect on investors.
Related to chaste through the idea of purification.
Loss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- comeuppanceDeserved punishment or rebuke
- defeatVictory over another
downfall · embarrassment · disgrace · sobering · subduing · crushing · diminishment · abasement
Formal expression of disapproval
- admonishmentExpression of disapproval or warning
- reproofExpression of blame
- scoldingHarsh verbal criticism
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
rebuke · criticism · disapproval · warning · correction · reproach · upbraiding · dressing-down
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- correctionFixing of mistakes
- chastisementFormal scolding or correction
retribution · deterrence · consequence · penance · penalization · strictness · severity · tough-love
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
purification · expiation · absolution · confession · remorse · sackcloth · penitence · mortification
Observing one's own mind
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- self-scrutinyCritical examination of oneself
self-questioning · rumination · self-awareness · reconsideration · self-reproach · regret · compunction · conscience
humiliation
Loss of dignity
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- comeuppanceDeserved punishment or rebuke
defeat · downfall · embarrassment · disgrace · sobering · subduing · crushing · diminishment · abasement · disillusionment
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
- admonishmentExpression of disapproval or warning
- reproofExpression of blame
- scoldingHarsh verbal criticism
censure · rebuke · criticism · disapproval · warning · correction · reproach · upbraiding · dressing-down · tongue-lashing
punishment
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- correctionFixing of mistakes
chastisement · retribution · deterrence · consequence · penance · penalization · strictness · severity · tough-love · trial
repentance
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
redemption · purification · expiation · absolution · confession · remorse · sackcloth · penitence · mortification · self-denial
introspection
Observing one's own mind
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
self-scrutiny · self-questioning · rumination · self-awareness · reconsideration · self-reproach · regret · compunction · conscience · reckoning
chasteninguplifting
Emotionally encouraging
heartening · encouraging · cheering · reassuring · inspiring
chasteningencouraging
Giving confidence or hope
rewarding · praising · commending · affirming · complimenting
chasteningemboldening
Making more courageous
empowering · inflating · confidence-building · validating · aggrandizing
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