Final answer:
Lambaste means to criticize harshly, which aligns with the meaning of chastise; thus, 'chastise' is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word lambaste most nearly means chastise. Lambaste is a verb that means to criticize harshly or to berate someone. It certainly does not mean to honor or to initiate, and while cajole is also a verb related to verbal interaction, cajoling implies persuading someone in a gentle or flattering way, which is very different from the harsh criticism implied by lambasting. Thus, the correct answer to the question is D. chastise.