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
Michael Schill, then president of Northwestern, was berated by congressional Republicans for brokering a compromise with pro-Palestinian protesters last year, disbanding their tent cities while preserving free speech.
—
James Druckman, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
On her first-ever boat, she was berated by a misogynistic captain to the point of swearing back at him and walking off.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
The resident berated by the mayor of Dearborn expresses concern about free speech rights.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025
With his far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, sitting in the front row, Netanyahu took the stage, looking a little peeved, and berated the event’s organizers for muddling his slide show.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Trump has long berated Britain over its plans to stop drilling new domestic oil and gas, which could help power future AI data centers.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Trump has berated Fed Chairman Jerome Powell for being too slow to lower interest rates to spur growth.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
That occurred after Becky berated Punk in the ring and continually slapped and hit him.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
After the dad walked back over to his son, the woman — also a Phillies fan — who lost the battle walked back over to the family and berated them.
—Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
James Druckman, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
On her first-ever boat, she was berated by a misogynistic captain to the point of swearing back at him and walking off.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
The resident berated by the mayor of Dearborn expresses concern about free speech rights.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025
With his far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, sitting in the front row, Netanyahu took the stage, looking a little peeved, and berated the event’s organizers for muddling his slide show.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Trump has long berated Britain over its plans to stop drilling new domestic oil and gas, which could help power future AI data centers.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Trump has berated Fed Chairman Jerome Powell for being too slow to lower interest rates to spur growth.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
That occurred after Becky berated Punk in the ring and continually slapped and hit him.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
After the dad walked back over to his son, the woman — also a Phillies fan — who lost the battle walked back over to the family and berated them.
—Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berated
Verb
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The Royal Dutch Medical Association scolded the psychiatrists, and prosecutors declined to act.—
Asra Q. Nomani,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
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In 2013, then-President Barack Obama penned a thank-you letter to federal employees for their service and scolded Congress for failing to approve a spending plan, without placing blame.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Cheen also lectured on the music industry across Asia and Australia.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
21 Oct. 2025
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Augusta was a devout Christian who often lectured the Bible to her sons and blamed alcohol and women for the evils of the world, per the outlet.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More than a few times in that TV role, Long booked Punk in various matches, reprimanded him for on-television actions, or set up stipulations for his matches against opponents.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Parents’ ongoing protest of teacher removal Rupert has received an outpouring of support since she was reprimanded and transferred to Isador Cohen Elementary for pulling up old carpet in her classroom.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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CEOs and experts have criticized universities for failing to keep up with the times; now that AI is here to stay, students had better be prepared to leverage it in their roles.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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In recent months, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has repeatedly criticized Tucker Carlson.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Berated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berated. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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