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

Then, without berating yourself, redirect your attention back to your practice.

From The Daily Beast

Caught drinking and driving, the district attorney had begun berating her arresting officers.

From The Daily Beast

She was caught on tape drunkenly berating law enforcement after being pulled over and taken in for drunk driving.

From The Daily Beast

Towards end of the event, a middle-aged woman stepped up to the microphone and began berating Sánchez with pointed questions.

From The Daily Beast

Today, three years later, the old gentleman is berating his friend because the silk hat was lost.

From The Daily Beast

Berating myself: had her affection been other than that of a life-long friendship she would not have come an inch.

From Project Gutenberg

The archduke proceeded to the Town Hall, and after berating the city officials listened to the speeches of welcome.

From Project Gutenberg

Here Fitz-Roy flew into a passion, berating the volunteer naturalist, and suggested a taste of the rope's end in lieu of logic.

From Project Gutenberg

When Varina was left behind, we fell to berating the tortuous river again.

From Project Gutenberg

Draj Khan, who was managing the line of beaters, was berating his comrades vehemently.

From Project Gutenberg