as in to scold
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 berate
Instead, one of the most dramatic Oval Office moments in recent memory unfolded as Trump and Vance berated Zelenskyy.
—
Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
Within 12 hours of Starmer's return from Washington, the talk of peace seemed to collapse as Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy for challenging Trump's assertions that Putin could be trusted.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2025
How dare a draft dodging dumb dupe humiliate an ally and berate an actual brave man who has actually been on a battlefield for his people?!
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
His quip followed Trump’s shocking Oval Office meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, with the president berating Ukraine’s leader and complaining at the treatment shown to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for berate
Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
Within 12 hours of Starmer's return from Washington, the talk of peace seemed to collapse as Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy for challenging Trump's assertions that Putin could be trusted.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2025
How dare a draft dodging dumb dupe humiliate an ally and berate an actual brave man who has actually been on a battlefield for his people?!
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
His quip followed Trump’s shocking Oval Office meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, with the president berating Ukraine’s leader and complaining at the treatment shown to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for berate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berate
Verb
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However, the voice resembling Smith Sr.’s goes silent for the remainder of the phone call, as Martinez continues to scold him for his actions.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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Shakira storms off Miami nightclub stage after appearing to scold clubgoer for filming up her dress The title of the tour is taken from the singer's 12th studio album, released last year and the first since 2017's El Dorado.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Trump and Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for U.S. aid.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tristan is doing a surprisingly good job at lecturing the Royal Army Veterinary Corps soldiers about taking care of mules and the like.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2025
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The hostages forum described Moses as an expert agronomist who lectured on agriculture and helped maintain the kibbutz’s community vegetable garden.—
ASSOCIATED PRESS,
TIME,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hackman was praised for his acting but the movie was fiercely criticized for appearing to whitewash history and marginalize Black characters.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
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New York Mayor Eric Adams was facing a criminal corruption case until it was suspended in February by President Trump's Justice Department, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was criticized over her handling of the wildfires which struck the city in January.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Berate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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