berated

American  

[bih-rey-tid] / bɪˈreɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. scolded or rebuked; criticized.

   I get to my workplace all summer long using the city’s much berated public transportation system.

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of criticize.

Etymology

Origin of berated

berate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Brittin has faced scrutiny in the past, particularly over Google's tax affairs in 2016 when he was berated by members of the Public Accounts Committee.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Back in January at the peak of the furore over Greenland, the Treasury Secretary openly berated Deutsche Bank’s George Saravelos after the currency strategist speculated that European institutions could dump $8 trillion of U.S.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

Under cross examination, however, Kaley talked about feeling neglected, berated and picked on by family members, causing depression and anxiety that had nothing to do with social media.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Noem routinely berated staff if she saw Homan on TV and kept track of both their appearances to make sure she was on TV more than him, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

He left his pleasure palace and publicly berated Atawallpa at the front.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

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