berate

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of berate Chimney’s fellow first responders stare in silent shock as Athena loudly berates him in the firehouse for interfering in the process, dressing him down with the same booming resonance she’s used on countless criminals. Andy Swift, TVLine, 1 May 2025 The Trump-Zelensky conversation at the Vatican was the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since their heated Oval Office meeting at the White House on Feb. 28, when Trump berated his Ukrainian counterpart and falsely claimed that his country was to blame for starting the war. Volodymyr Yurchuk and Elise Morton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025 Multiple interviews reported how Haney pulled athletes by the hair, used crude language to berate students, and even threatened to commit suicide if gymnasts attempted to leave her team at MG Elite. Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 In the car, the letter states, Weinstein continued to verbally berate the detectives. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for berate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berate
Verb
  • Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • The justices also reprimanded federal authorities for failing to provide the detainees with more due process under the Alien Enemies Act.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
  • One of the central conflicts begins when the cute five-year-old daughter, I-Jing (Nina Ye), is reprimanded by her otherwise aloof grandfather for being left-handed.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • We’ve often been lectured by people all over the place about how the United States needs to continue to be a beacon for those who are oppressed abroad.
    Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2025
  • Geragos, 67, the criminal defense lawyer known for his roster of celebrity clients, was lectured in a Manhattan federal court this week after making statements about the case on a podcast.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • The decision also sparked fierce debate from religious conservatives who criticized one board member’s staunch opposition to introducing prayer.
    Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
  • The achievement was especially sweet for Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who has been widely criticized for the club’s Premier League performance this season.
    David Close, CNN Money, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Berate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berate. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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