Synonyms of berating

berating 1 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
• rhapsody
• sanction
• acclaim
• acclamation
• endorsement
• blessing
• commendation
• accolade
• ovation
• rave
• plaudit

berating

2 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
• extolling
• lauding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of berating

Noun

Teacher and counselor Ashley Williams was standing by while another employee copied the footage of Morrison berating, hitting and directing other students to assault the 13-year-old boy. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 15 July 2026

Even at the best of times to carry such a shocking tale to Varsha’s mother, Dipika, would mean risking a berating and possibly even dismissal. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

She has also been credited with a more compassionate way of hosting a cooking show, rather than the berating that previously featured on many food shows. — Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026

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

After berating Allensworth, Medvedev returned to the baseline. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

To be clear, Miss Manners does not defend your mother berating you and your boyfriend. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026

Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026

The Fox morning show paid tribute to Leavitt with a video montage of her berating and insulting reporters from the White House podium. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Ten minutes of berating the inanimate object later the connection was back, and my (out of focus) views of totality were on their way to our solar eclipse live blog. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Those included command staff berating officers behind closed doors, threatening discipline if officers discussed those conversations and trainers demoralizing recruits, according to the lawsuit. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

In 2011, Galliano was fired by Dior after he was captured on video berating patrons of a Paris bar by praising Hitler and saying their ancestors would have been gassed. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026

As potential intermingling threatened this segregation, a white sergeant started berating the Black troops who already had their trays, shouting at them to dump their food and clear the room. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026