castigar, repreender, criticar severamente
1. to reprimand or criticize someone severely, often in public
The coach castigated the team for their poor performance in the final match.
O treinador castigou o time por seu desempenho fraco na partida final.
2. to subject someone to harsh punishment or criticism
She was castigated by her peers for her unethical behavior.
Ela foi severamente criticada por seus colegas por seu comportamento antiético.
3. to express severe disapproval through words
The journalist castigated the government's corruption in his editorial.
O jornalista criticou severamente a corrupção do governo em seu editorial.
In American English, 'castigate' is commonly used in professional, academic, and formal contexts to describe severe criticism. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'castigar' maintains formality but 'repreender' or colloquial expressions like 'dar uma bronca' are often preferred in everyday speech. The word implies not just criticism but a formal, often public rebuke with an element of moral judgment.
NYC Slang
call out, read someone the riot act, come down hard on someone
Related Idioms & Phrases
castigate someone in public
castigate someone for their sins
castigate with harsh words
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