chastising
Giving a reprimand
Chastising is scolding or rebuking someone severely for wrongdoing.
The word carries a tone of moral correction—a parent chastising a child, a boss chastising an employee for carelessness: She chastised him for his reckless spending.
Chastising implies the critic holds authority or moral standing over the one being corrected.
Harsh verbal criticism
- reprimandingFormally expressing disapproval
- admonishingExpressing disapproval firmly
- rebukingVoicing sharp disapproval
- beratingHarsh verbal criticism
upbraiding · reproaching · lecturing · censuring · reproving · castigating · lambasting · haranguing
Trained self-control or specialty
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- reproofExpression of blame
- admonishmentExpression of disapproval or warning
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
consequence · rectification · reformation · guidance · behavior modification · lesson · deterrent · sanction
Judgment of faults
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- displeasureMild anger or disapproval
- contemptDisdainful disregard
scorn · disdain · denunciation · faultfinding · disapprobation · opprobrium · rebuke · reproach
scolding
Harsh verbal criticism
- reprimandingFormally expressing disapproval
- admonishingExpressing disapproval firmly
- rebukingVoicing sharp disapproval
berating · upbraiding · reproaching · lecturing · censuring · reproving · castigating · lambasting · haranguing · dressing down
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- reproofExpression of blame
- admonishmentExpression of disapproval or warning
penalty · consequence · rectification · reformation · guidance · behavior modification · lesson · deterrent · sanction · corrective
criticism
Judgment of faults
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- displeasureMild anger or disapproval
contempt · scorn · disdain · denunciation · faultfinding · disapprobation · opprobrium · rebuke · reproach · judgment
parent
Mother or father
- teacherOne who instructs others
- elderSenior figure of authority
- supervisorOne who directs workers
boss · principal · disciplinarian · guardian · mentor · superior · overseer · preacher · moralist · patriarch
stern
Strict or ship's aft
firm · strict · unsparing · biting · scathing · withering · cutting · acerbic · caustic · pointed
- dominance tacticsbullying, commanding, controlling, dictating, domineering
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- beatingsbeating, thrashing, pummeling, pounding, battering
chastisingpraising
Voicing admiration
commending · applauding · lauding · complimenting · extolling
chastisingcomforting
Giving emotional ease
consoling · soothing · reassuring · nurturing · supporting
chastise, chaste, chastised, chastisement, chastises, chasteness, chastiser, chastisers, chastisements