To chastise or punish someone in order to correct their behavior; to discipline (often stronger than just scolding).
子どもが悪さをしたので、親がきちんと懲らしめた。
The child misbehaved, so the parent properly punished him/her.
会社の規則を破った社員は、懲らしめるために厳重注意を受けた。
An employee who broke company rules received a severe reprimand to punish him/her.
彼は二度と同じ失敗をしないように懲らしめられたと言った。
He said he was chastised so that he wouldn't make the same mistake again.