castigate
KAS-ti-gayt, verb
To criticize severely.
“The report castigated the agency for ignoring its own warnings.”
Difficulty: advanced. One of 440 entries written and checked by hand.
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More advanced words
- ephemeral Lasting for a very short time.
- pernicious Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
- capricious Given to sudden, unpredictable changes of mood or behavior.
- gregarious Fond of company; sociable.
- laconic Using very few words; terse to the point of seeming curt.
- magnanimous Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.
- obfuscate To deliberately make something unclear or difficult to understand.
- sycophant A person who flatters the powerful to gain advantage.
Nearby: capricious casuistry All 440 words