berate

[ bih-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, be·rat·ed, be·rat·ing.

1. to scold; rebuke:

   He berated them in public.

   Synonyms: vilify, objurgate, vituperate, abuse

berate

/ bɪˈreɪt /

verb

1. tr to scold harshly

Word History and Origins

Origin of berate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; be- + rate ²

Example Sentences

He sometimes berates the one who remains, stating outright that the other was his favorite.

From Time

Whoever called it, Overleese’s involvement made some women uncomfortable because he routinely berated women in the office, according to the three women and emails, reviewed by The Post, that one of the women wrote at the time.

From Washington Post

All brands berate us with ads that promise to make us happier, healthier, smarter, and safer.

From Eater

Several of the callers berated Campbell for fighting for the job.

From Voice of San Diego

He remembered a game in which Ashley Ingram, Navy’s running game coordinator and offensive line coach, was berating the blockers for poor play before Forney stepped in.

From Washington Post

Women are berated—and berate themselves—for dressing too sexily.

From The 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 The Daily Beast

A purse can impress and intimidate, bewilder, berate, or amuse.

From The Daily Beast

I'm not saying you should be an aggressive jerk, and berate your friends for thinking negative thoughts.

From The 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.”

From The Daily Beast

I overheard him soundly berate a mother who kept her children too much indoors.

From Project Gutenberg

Once in port, they began to berate the Genoese for his foolhardy scheme.

From Project Gutenberg

He was sure Mildred and Nan would berate him, but he felt as though there were weights on his feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Hearing Ed Hall berate a farmer who doubted the practicability of the machine, Steve took him aside and talked to him.

From Project Gutenberg

Going to one of them, the one who had declared his intention of joining the union, Jim began to berate him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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