What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
censure
Example
The teacher censured the student for cheating on the exam. [censured: past tense verb]
Example
The government issued a censure against the politician for his unethical behavior. [censure: noun]
chastise
Example
The mother chastised her child for not doing his homework. [chastised: past tense verb]
Example
The coach chastised the player for his poor performance during the game. [chastised: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chastise is more commonly used than censure in everyday language. Chastise is versatile and can be employed in various contexts, while censure is less common and typically used in more formal or official settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between censure and chastise?
While censure is associated with a formal and authoritative tone, chastise can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be employed in a wider range of situations.
