BERATE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

berate

verb

bi-ˈrāt

Definition of berate next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 The Major League Eating speed-eating record for grits is 21 pounds in 10 minutes, held by Patrick Bertoletti, whose critics berated his gritty performance ad hominy. —

Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026 Just about the entire movie unfolds inside a beige Paris hotel suite, and then a fancy restaurant, where Philip Doom (Harrelson), who is some sort of wealthy blowhard, and his 32-year-old daughter, Madeleine (Stewart), are sitting around berating each other. —

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 May 2026 As the overbearing Barone family matriarch, Doris Roberts was the queen of laughs, doting on her sons, berating her two daughters-in-law and bickering with her husband. —

Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026 Because Eatherly was known to openly carry a pistol while berating people, the combination could constitute assault, Raybin said. —

Travis Loller, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for berate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for berate

Verb

Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.

— Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
Messi seemed to scold La Familia at one point with a finger wag aimed in their direction, showing his displeasure with their protest.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026