Synonyms of berate

berate

verb

bi-ˈrāt 

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

there's no need to berate someone for making a mistake during the first day on the job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scold
• lecture
• reprimand
• criticize
• blame
• chastise
• upbraid
• admonish
• castigate
• lambaste
• rag
• flay
• rail (at or against)
• mock
• rebuke
• call down
• attack
• ream (out)
• chide
• fault
• chew out
• dress down
• jaw
• reproach
• rant (at)
• bawl out
• lay into
• baste
• keelhaul
• rate
• hammer
• score
• read the riot act (to)
• condemn
• denounce
• excoriate
• crucify
• take to task
• revile
• disparage
• assail
• belittle
• harangue
• tongue-lash
• slam
• remonstrate (with)
• knock
• reprove
• lash
• bad-mouth
• ridicule
• reprehend
• scoff
• abuse
• censure
• vituperate
• pan
• scorn
• blast
• lace (into)
• scourge
• dis
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• sanction
• praise
• extol
• laud

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb berate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of berate are rail, revile, scold, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When is rail a more appropriate choice than berate?

While in some cases nearly identical to berate, rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

Where would revile be a reasonable alternative to berate?

In some situations, the words revile and berate are roughly equivalent. However, revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When could scold be used to replace berate?

The synonyms scold and berate are sometimes interchangeable, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When can upbraid be used instead of berate?

The words upbraid and berate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

When would vituperate be a good substitute for berate?

The meanings of vituperate and berate largely overlap; however, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of berate

Carrie Skains, the former human resources director at Trinity Valley School, alleged in the suit that the school’s chief financial officer, Adam Wojtelwicz, berated her and other female employees. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

After berating Allensworth, Medvedev returned to the baseline. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

To be clear, Miss Manners does not defend your mother berating you and your boyfriend. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026

Galliano berated a French couple with antisemitic and anti-Asian rhetoric in February 2011, which led to his conviction. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

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