verb to scold or criticize severely
Commanding officers may chastise soldiers for not following orders.
Priests may chastise members of their congregation for not following religious teachings.
Parents may chastise their children for not following rules or behaving properly.
Teachers may chastise students for misbehaving in class.
Coaches may chastise players for not performing well during a game.
Police officers may chastise individuals for breaking the law.
Managers may chastise employees for not meeting work expectations.
In a professional setting, a writer may use the word 'chastise' to describe a character's actions or behavior in a story, or to critique someone's work in a constructive manner.
A psychologist may use 'chastise' when discussing behavior modification techniques with a client or when addressing inappropriate behavior in a therapy session.