berate

[ bih-reyt ]

/ bɪˈreɪt /

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verb (used with object), be·rat·ed, be·rat·ing.

to scold; rebuke: He berated them in public.

Nearby words

Origin of berate

First recorded in 1540–50; be- + rate²

SYNONYMS FOR berate

abuse, vilify, vituperate, objurgate.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR berate ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for berate

Women are berated—and berate themselves—for dressing too sexily.
In Defense of Slut-O-Ween|Emily Shire|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The old-school way of hating rubes asks us to berate them into giving up their identity out of shame and disgust.
From Smarm To Snark, We’re All Soldiers In The War On Obscurity|James Poulos|December 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A purse can impress and intimidate, bewilder, berate, or amuse.
The Language of Margaret Thatcher’s Handbags|Robin Givhan|April 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I'm not saying you should be an aggressive jerk, and berate your friends for thinking negative thoughts.
The Depressed Mind|David Frum|January 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Rather than berate Mitt for the sin of being rich, he said he wanted a flatter tax so everyone could pay the “Romney rate.”
What If Newt Wins S.C.?|Howard Kurtz|January 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
One way to flatter some women is to berate those whom they despise or fear.
Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall|Charles Major
And then, without waiting for the answer, he turned to the shepherd and began to berate him.
The Five Arrows|Allan Chase
As it happened before, no sooner was the intoxication of her presence removed than he began to berate himself for his weakness.
The Huntress|Hulbert Footner
And the men drop in to talk over plans and berate the Governor because things are not in better shape.
A Little Girl in Old St. Louis|Amanda Minnie Douglas
Once in port, they began to berate the Genoese for his foolhardy scheme.
Christopher Columbus and How He Received and Imparted the Spirit of Discovery|Justin Winsor

British Dictionary definitions for berate

berate

/ (bɪˈreɪt) /

verb

(tr) to scold harshly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for berate

berate

1540s, from be- "thoroughly" + Middle English rate "to scold" (late 14c.), from Old French reter "accuse, blame," from Latin reputare (see reputation). "Obsolete except in U.S." [OED 1st ed.], but it seems to have revived in Britain 20c. Related: Berated; berating.

berate

verb (used with object), be·rat·ed, be·rat·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of berate

Examples from the Web for berate

British Dictionary definitions for berate

berate

verb

Word Origin and History for berate

berate