berate

[bih-reyt]

verb (used with object)

berated, berating 

1. to scold; rebuke.

   He berated them in public.

   Synonyms: vilify, objurgate, vituperate, abuse

berate

/ bɪˈreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to scold harshly

Word History and Origins

Origin of berate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; be- + rate ²

Example Sentences

As the elder berates her child for being a “bad bad girl,” the reader will hear the echoes of her own mother’s chastisements, a song of intergenerational despair.

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She continues to berate him and a group of officials while the credits roll.

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One of the world's most popular streamers, Tyler "Ninja" Blevins, says trolls "berate" him every day because his number of viewers has fallen.

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During a summit of Arabic and Islamic States on Monday held in Doha, its leaders berated Israel and demanded concrete punitive actions.

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In February, Vance used his first international speech since taking office to berate close US allies over immigration and speech laws.

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Related Words

• castigate 
• chide 
• rebuke 
• reprimand 
• reproach 
• revile 
• scold 
• upbraid