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

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

Since Takaichi’s remark on Taiwan in November, Beijing’s retaliation has included berating Tokyo at the United Nations, canceling flights to Japan and tightening export controls on goods with potential military uses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

If berating counts, then he’s said more to Charlie this past summer and fall than he has in nineteen years.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Related Words

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