berating

[bih-rey-ting]

noun

1. the act or habit of scolding, rebuking, or harshly criticizing another.

   The player earned a red card for his constant berating of the referee.

adjective

1. scolding, rebuking, or harshly criticizing.

   When you talk to him about these behavioral issues, take care not to use a berating tone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of berating¹

First recorded in 1830–40; berat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; berat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

Republicans were also able to sow division among Democrats, who ought to be celebrating sweeping recent state elections but are instead at each other's throats -- with the furious progressive base berating the leadership for folding.

Read more on Barron's

After berating them for several minutes, he threw the sandwich at close range.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After the footage of her berating fellow councillors and using expletives was leaked to the Guardian earlier this month, Ms Kemkaran said the culprits had committed an act of "treachery".

Read more on BBC

Video footage shows Rivas and others berating the officers for complicity in what they called a “kidnapping.”

Read more on Salon

The following day, a 2021 video emerged of Porter berating a staffer who corrected her about electric vehicle information she was discussing with a member of the Biden administration.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admonition 
• censure 
• condemnation 
• disapproval 
• punishment 
• rebuff 
• reproach 
• snub