Showing results for "berating"

• present participle of berate.

berating

American  

[bih-rey-ting] / bɪˈreɪ tɪŋ /

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.

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adjective

1. scolding, rebuking, or harshly criticizing.

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

Etymology

Origin of berating

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

See Examples For:

berating

Then as now, Martin chose a polite but firm approach to Trump, who spent much of the question-and-answer session berating US allies for rebuffing his calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026

What happened Tuesday should scare away any of the remaining top prospects who would want to play for this berating blowhard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026

Despite Egadze scoring only 154.79 for the free skate - 27 points lower than his season best - there was no berating.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2026

Beijing’s retaliation has included berating Tokyo at the United Nations, canceling flights to Japan and threatening a ban on imports of Japanese seafood.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 6, 2026

We round the corner, Dr. Schillinger still berating me, and then we’re through the front door of Tatarska 3.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Related Words

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