as in scolded
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
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Recent Examples of berated
O’Sullivan berated an on-site staff member while using more than a dozen expletives during a 47-second video of the incident.
—
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
In 2008, towards the beginning of his presidency, Barack Obama frequently berated oil speculators for artificially inflating prices.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Davos delegates didn’t need to hear a political stump speech attacking the American president or be berated by a governor for also not beating up on him.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Milwaukee activists and residents berated Police Chief Jeffrey Norman for his trip to Israel for a six-day training session.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Minaj berated the female guard while recording the exchange.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2026
In fact, according to the Buffalo News, the coach called the outlet from the team plane and berated the officials even more.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Anyone standing near you has the right not to get screamed at, berated, or kicked in the nuts.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 6 Dec. 2025
Earlier in the month, a Thai pageant director berated Bosch during a pre-pageant meeting, triggering a mass walkout of contestants.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
In 2008, towards the beginning of his presidency, Barack Obama frequently berated oil speculators for artificially inflating prices.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Davos delegates didn’t need to hear a political stump speech attacking the American president or be berated by a governor for also not beating up on him.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Milwaukee activists and residents berated Police Chief Jeffrey Norman for his trip to Israel for a six-day training session.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Minaj berated the female guard while recording the exchange.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2026
In fact, according to the Buffalo News, the coach called the outlet from the team plane and berated the officials even more.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Anyone standing near you has the right not to get screamed at, berated, or kicked in the nuts.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 6 Dec. 2025
Earlier in the month, a Thai pageant director berated Bosch during a pre-pageant meeting, triggering a mass walkout of contestants.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berated
Verb
-
As the Sentinel’s Cristobal Reyes has reported, federal judges based in Orlando have scolded prosecutors multiple times in recent weeks for detaining people who should have been set free, with one judge memorably comparing the current actions of ICE to those of a third-world country.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
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No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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My alter ago has lectured, pleaded and begged my readers to run for their lives from Doritos, Ding Dongs and Sprite.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Michael Woroniecki lectured about Satan being a very powerful force.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Several told the Herald they were reprimanded for speaking to the media to promote the cultural events being hosted by the center.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Following the meeting, Green was reprimanded by a captain for failing to review the video with the officers.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Valieva’s coach, Eteri Tutberidze, is one of the most prominent figures in a coaching culture that has long been criticized for prioritizing thinness, disordered eating, and early peak performance over athletes’ well-being.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Berated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berated. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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