to discipline, esp. by corporal punishment.

to criticize severely.

Archaic . to restrain; chasten.

Archaic . to refine; purify.

verb

cheer , comfort , compliment , encourage , forgive , inspirit , promote

verb

baste , beat , berate , castigate , censure , chasten , chew out * , climb all over , correct , ferule , flog * , lash * , lay into * , lean on , pummel , punish , ream , scourge , skelp , slap down , spank , thrash , upbraid , whipnotes:chasten means to correct by punishment , to take to task - to restrain or subdue; chastise means to punish , as by beating or to criticize severely , discipline , penalize , admonish , call down , chide , dress down , rap , rebuke , reprimand , reproach , reprove , scold , tax , accuse , blame , cane , flog , lash , strap , taunt , whip