Keelhauls is a nautical term that refers to the act of dragging a person underneath the hull of a ship. This brutal punishment was often used on sailors who committed serious offences while at sea. However, in modern times, the term 'keelhauls' is rarely used, and there are several synonyms that are commonly used instead. Synonyms for keelhauls include discipline, chastise, punish, reprimand, censure, admonish, rebuke, scold, and correct. All of these words convey the idea of punishing someone for their misdeeds, but without the extreme violence associated with keelhauling. In short, these synonyms offer a more civilized approach to maintaining discipline at sea.