Synonyms of berating

berating 1 of 2

verb

present participle of berate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scolding
• lecturing
• reprimanding
• criticizing
• blaming
• chastising
• upbraiding
• admonishing
• castigating
• lambasting
• attacking
• rebuking
• mocking
• reproaching
• ragging
• flaying
• jawing
• hammering
• chiding
• faulting
• dressing down
• calling down
• scoring
• reaming (out)
• basting
• ranting (at)
• rating
• bawling out
• railing (at or against)
• keelhauling
• tongue-lashing
• slamming
• haranguing
• condemning
• denouncing
• chewing out
• laying into
• lashing
• belittling
• reviling
• knocking
• ridiculing
• assailing
• crucifying
• reading the riot act (to)
• excoriating
• disparaging
• blasting
• reproving
• abusing
• taking to task
• censuring
• panning
• remonstrating (with)
• bad-mouthing
• scoffing
• scorning
• scourging
• lacing (into)
• dissing
• vituperating
• reprehending
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approving
• endorsing
• sanctioning
• praising
• indorsing
• extolling
• lauding

berating

2 of 2

noun

as in reprimand

Related Words

• reprimand
• rebuke
• lashing
• reproof
• criticism
• invective
• attack
• denunciation
• condemnation
• tongue-lashing
• lambasting
• vituperation
• castigation
• assault
• censure
• reproach
• diatribe
• tirade
• abuse
• harangue
• chewing out
• disparagement
• jeremiad
• dissing
• rant
• depreciation
• philippic
• belittlement
• broadside
• excoriation
• lecture
• sermon
• deprecation
• admonishment
• admonition
• revilement
• execration

Dissimilar Words

• tribute
• praise
• eulogy
• encomium
• panegyric
• honor
• citation
• approval
• homage
• sanction
• acclaim
• acclamation
• endorsement
• blessing
• commendation
• rhapsody
• accolade
• indorsement
• ovation
• rave
• plaudit

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of berating

Verb

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

Noun

Auburn athletics director John Cohen was seen berating officials as the team went into the locker room for halftime. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025

They’re quickly followed by another fan, who appears to be berating them. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025

Over the past week, some have posted clips of Hammoud berating Barham that have drawn millions of views. —Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 24 Sep. 2025

The coach focused on helping his team settle and regain their confidence rather than berating them for falling behind. —Jay Feldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Current and former division attorneys interviewed by ProPublica and The Chronicle said the lawyers had misgivings about the administration’s tactics and were reluctant to work with Terrell, who already had a reputation for berating staffers. —Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025

Devon Hogan Flanagan, a special assistant attorney general in Rhode Island, who was caught on video berating police officers trying to remove her from a restaurant after she was asked to leave, has been placed on unpaid leave for six months. —Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2025

Ellis also accused the rapper of berating and body-shaming her and spitting on her. —EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025

The sheriff should be berating the mayor and commissioners, who decide how to spend city money. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025