- Today's Word
Castigate
Castigate
KAS-tih-gayt
Definition
(verb) To reprimand someone severely; to criticize harshly.
Example
The editor castigated the writer for missing yet another deadline.
Word Origin
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.