as in reprimand
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as in scolding
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 berating
Kerry Brown, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud's berating of a Christian minister who objected to street signs named after an Arab American leader is being called out by his electoral opponent.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
The normally Trump-friendly Daily Caller ran a less-than-flattering piece about the president berating a reporter for asking about troop deployments.
—Kathy Kiely, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
Noem and her chief adviser Corey Lewandowski -- who is reportedly also departing DHS -- both had a knack for lashing out, yelling and berating staff that crossed them, according to sources.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Other potential candidates, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gavin Newsom, have achieved fame by berating and ridiculing the other side.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
She is accused of loudly berating District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur during a one-on-one meeting earlier this month.
—Molly Smith, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb. 2026
Messi, Inter Miami’s captain, frequently speaks to referees, but has never been fined or suspended by MLS for confronting or berating them.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
After center Steven Jamerson II committed a hard foul with UCLA trailing by 27, Cronin was caught on camera berating the 6-foot-10 center before sending him to the locker room mid-game.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The film, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, shows LaBeouf berating actors and crew members, instigating a fistfight and engaging in other aggressive behavior.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
Trump’s berating of China earlier this year has also brought rewards to Xi domestically, too.
—Kerry Brown, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud's berating of a Christian minister who objected to street signs named after an Arab American leader is being called out by his electoral opponent.
—Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
The coach is swigging from a beer bottle, visibly drunk even from across a hockey rink, and roundly berating his players.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
The normally Trump-friendly Daily Caller ran a less-than-flattering piece about the president berating a reporter for asking about troop deployments.
—Kathy Kiely, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
Noem and her chief adviser Corey Lewandowski -- who is reportedly also departing DHS -- both had a knack for lashing out, yelling and berating staff that crossed them, according to sources.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Other potential candidates, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gavin Newsom, have achieved fame by berating and ridiculing the other side.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
She is accused of loudly berating District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur during a one-on-one meeting earlier this month.
—Molly Smith, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb. 2026
Messi, Inter Miami’s captain, frequently speaks to referees, but has never been fined or suspended by MLS for confronting or berating them.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
After center Steven Jamerson II committed a hard foul with UCLA trailing by 27, Cronin was caught on camera berating the 6-foot-10 center before sending him to the locker room mid-game.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The film, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, shows LaBeouf berating actors and crew members, instigating a fistfight and engaging in other aggressive behavior.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berating
Noun
-
Jordan, who has served as a circuit judge since 2011, could face a public reprimand for his actions.—
Camila Gomez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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If the ethics charges are upheld, the congresswoman could face a humiliating report, a public reprimand like censure or even expulsion from the House.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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First, as the Florida ACLU’s Howard Simon points out, Uthmeier is not scolding another branch of government.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
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Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This rebuke was noticeable in how Swain addressed the plaintiffs’ claims regarding prices of MLB trading cards.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Coach Billy Donovan delivered a simple but firm rebuke in his pregame comments.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Therefore, now is not the time to be lecturing our partners and allies.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
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That includes lecturing, building curriculum, pursuing research and speaking about university policy.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The duo’s direct clashes whiplash with motivational complexity as well as physical lashing out.—
Bob Strauss,
Houston Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
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The duo’s direct clashes whiplash with motivational complexity as well as physical lashing out.—
Bob Strauss,
San Francisco Chronicle,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In footage that circulated on social media after Sunday's telecast, the 35-year-old Best Supporting Actress nominee and recording artist was shown reprimanding someone off camera while others stepped between them.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
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Even the universe seems to be reprimanding Taylor, because the women coincidentally run into Jesse Palmer, the host of The Bachelorette, at brunch.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the appeal to you, gentle readers, to email us with your thoughts, questions, reproofs, corrections, jokes, recipes, etc.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
9 May 2025
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Advertisement China’s Foreign Ministry also issued a vehement reproof.—
Elaine Kurtenbach,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In 2010, a grand jury indicted former House Speaker Ray Sansom on grand theft and conspiracy charges and issued a 10-page presentment criticizing the Legislature’s appropriations process.—
Lawrence Mower,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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Moore also pointed out flaws in facial recognition technology as a whole, criticizing its early, widespread adoption by law enforcement agencies worldwide.—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Berating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berating. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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