as in reprimand
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of berating
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
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 June 2026
Trump had long gone after Powell, deriding, berating and threatening to fire the ex-Fed chair.
—
Sylvan Lane,
The Hill,
1 June 2026
The Portugal midfielder was livid with his United team-mates for their role in Phil Foden’s opening goal, openly berating them as City celebrated.
—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Just about the entire movie unfolds inside a beige Paris hotel suite, and then a fancy restaurant, where Philip Doom (Harrelson), who is some sort of wealthy blowhard, and his 32-year-old daughter, Madeleine (Stewart), are sitting around berating each other.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 May 2026
As the overbearing Barone family matriarch, Doris Roberts was the queen of laughs, doting on her sons, berating her two daughters-in-law and bickering with her husband.
—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Because Eatherly was known to openly carry a pistol while berating people, the combination could constitute assault, Raybin said.
—
Travis Loller,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
And in New York, hundreds of teens flooded a mall in the Bronx in February, trashing stores and berating mall employees.
—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Porter, 52, said that voters should look at her record fighting corporate interests and forgive some of her past lapses, as when she was caught on video berating an aide.
—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
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 coming under fire for publicly berating a TV journalist on social media, Paget Brewster has deleted the damning post and apologized.
—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 June 2026
Trump had long gone after Powell, deriding, berating and threatening to fire the ex-Fed chair.
—
Sylvan Lane,
The Hill,
1 June 2026
The Portugal midfielder was livid with his United team-mates for their role in Phil Foden’s opening goal, openly berating them as City celebrated.
—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Just about the entire movie unfolds inside a beige Paris hotel suite, and then a fancy restaurant, where Philip Doom (Harrelson), who is some sort of wealthy blowhard, and his 32-year-old daughter, Madeleine (Stewart), are sitting around berating each other.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 May 2026
As the overbearing Barone family matriarch, Doris Roberts was the queen of laughs, doting on her sons, berating her two daughters-in-law and bickering with her husband.
—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Because Eatherly was known to openly carry a pistol while berating people, the combination could constitute assault, Raybin said.
—
Travis Loller,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
And in New York, hundreds of teens flooded a mall in the Bronx in February, trashing stores and berating mall employees.
—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Porter, 52, said that voters should look at her record fighting corporate interests and forgive some of her past lapses, as when she was caught on video berating an aide.
—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berating
Noun
-
In a largely symbolic reprimand, Senate Democrats succeeded on Tuesday in forcing through a resolution to end the war with Iran.
-
The reprimands have gone beyond rhetoric.
Verb
-
This ancient poem isn’t interested in scolding women for their sexuality, but in the establishment of honor in the elite household.
-
The princess hilariously put her little brother in his place by scolding him.
Noun
-
Since everyone was modernizing, albeit at different speeds, members of the Libby community did not have to fear the serious consequences of formal public rebuke and ostracization that happen in other Amish communities when a member breaks church rules.
-
While such resolutions do not go to the president for his signature or carry the force of law, passage would stand as a powerful, if symbolic, statement from Congress and a rebuke of the administration’s military actions.
Verb
-
College professors spend less time lecturing than a typical sportswriter creating fake controversies to criticize.
-
If and until that day comes, there will be fingerpointing, lecturing and posturing, all of which has flowed freely in the wake of the Sorsby decision.
Noun
-
Despite the critical lashing, the audience score has been propped up by faithful fans and is sitting at 96%.
-
If plants look deflated or heavily wilted after a wind lashing, this is a sign of water loss.
Verb
-
Earlier this week, Scott Agness claimed his press credentials were revoked by the team after his reporting led to the WNBA reprimanding the Fever for not being transparent about Clark’s health status during a game on May 20.
-
If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?
Noun
-
In the appeal to you, gentle readers, to email us with your thoughts, questions, reproofs, corrections, jokes, recipes, etc.
-
Advertisement China’s Foreign Ministry also issued a vehement reproof.
Verb
-
The group issued a point-by-point analysis of the memorandum, criticizing it for potentially freeing up tens of billions of dollars for Iran without putting sufficient safeguards to ensure the country won’t use the money to fund operations against the United States.
-
The week, however, was not without controversy for the South Korean team, as the squad barred press from their home country after audio of media criticizing the mandatory military service exemption granted to Son was leaked.
Cite this Entry
“Berating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berating. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
