申斥 is a formal, written-style verb meaning 'to rebuke sternly' or 'to reprimand severely.' It combines two characters: 申 (shēn), which historically means 'to state clearly' or 'to declare,' and 斥 (chì), meaning 'to scold' or 'to rebuke.' Together, they emphasize a forceful, authoritative, and often official expression of disapproval. The word carries a strong connotation of moral or hierarchical authority — typically used when someone in a position of power (e.g., a supervisor, teacher, or government official) delivers a serious, public, or documented reprimand.

This term appears frequently in formal documents, news reports, official announcements, and literary texts — rarely in casual conversation. It implies seriousness, gravity, and sometimes consequences, distinguishing it from milder terms like 批评 (to criticize) or 责备 (to blame). While both characters individually can appear in other compounds, 申斥 functions only as a fixed two-character verb with this specific stern tone.