BLAN-dish
She blandished her parents with compliments in hopes of borrowing the car for the evening.
Fun Fact
Blandishment, the noun form, often appears in literature to describe characters manipulating others. Shakespeare frequently used the concept of blandishment to showcase the power dynamics in relationships.
KAS-tih-gayt
(verb) To reprimand someone severely; to criticize harshly.
The editor castigated the writer for missing yet another deadline.
Early 17th century: from Latin castigare, from castus ‘pure’ + agere ‘to drive’.
Fun Fact
Castigate doesn’t just mean to critique—it means to come down hard, often with a tone of moral authority. In the past, it could even refer to physical punishment, but today it’s used more metaphorically: a boss tearing into an employee, a coach yelling during halftime, or a pundit scolding a public figure. It’s always loud, sharp, and meant to correct.