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
As 404 Media reports, Northern District of Mississippi judge Sharion Aycock berated everybody involved in a sanctions order, ultimately fining them, canceling the trial, and barring half of them from appearing in the district’s court for two years.
—
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 11 June 2026
Prosecutors said the victim was constantly yelled at, berated and not allowed to go outside unattended.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 1 June 2026
After a nearfall, Becky got in Jessika Carr’s face and berated her.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Refugee advocacy organizations berated the new emergency order.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 26 May 2026
In the past, particularly bad fliers could spend the entirety of the attraction being berated by the character of Ohnaka.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Some commenters pointed out moments when the robots seemed to mishandle packages and berated robots for occasionally dropping packages.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026
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
I’ve been berated by my daughter and my wife (who was sleeping) for overreacting and being rude for two days now.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 11 June 2026
Prosecutors said the victim was constantly yelled at, berated and not allowed to go outside unattended.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 1 June 2026
After a nearfall, Becky got in Jessika Carr’s face and berated her.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Refugee advocacy organizations berated the new emergency order.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 26 May 2026
In the past, particularly bad fliers could spend the entirety of the attraction being berated by the character of Ohnaka.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Some commenters pointed out moments when the robots seemed to mishandle packages and berated robots for occasionally dropping packages.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026
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
I’ve been berated by my daughter and my wife (who was sleeping) for overreacting and being rude for two days now.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berated
Verb
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This time, however, Charlotte promptly scolded him for his untoward behavior.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
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Four years ago, Infantino scolded critics during a news conference ahead of the opener in Qatar.—
Carlos Rodriguez,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Sharon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Member of the UK Association of Jungian Analysts, and has taught and lectured at many academic institutions, Jungian organisations, retreat centres and cultural festivals around the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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It was also being lectured by people who presented a formulaic perspective on a complicated future that the class of 2026 is already navigating.—
Ann Kirschner,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Specifically, Ingram was reprimanded for allowing two employees, Butler and his former executive assistant, Gabriela Gudino, to baby-sit his children, and inviting them to Boise State football games.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
17 June 2026
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Behind closed doors, ProPublica revealed, the majority-Republican state Supreme Court quashed the commission’s recommendations that two Republican judges who’d admitted to committing egregious conduct violations be publicly reprimanded.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
5 June 2026
Verb
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When the Biden administration had any number of bizarre performances, celebrations and statements, Stern and those like her angrily denounced anyone who criticized them.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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The United States, widely criticized under President Joe Biden for not reining in brutal Israeli excesses in Gaza, is now trying to curtail Israeli action in tackling the more existential security challenge to its north with Hezbollah.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Berated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berated. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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