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
In an explosive Oval Office meeting last month, the president berated Zelensky for not being grateful enough for U.S. military assistance.
—
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2025
Here’s a look at what happened this month: 'That's a lie': Judge berates explanation for laying offs
U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco Thursday delivered one of the most far-reaching court defeats in the administration's efforts to gut the federal bureaucracy.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
This visit ended with Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating the Ukrainian leader in front of the world's media.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Vance berated Zelenskyy for not being thankful for the support the U.S. has provided Ukraine.
—Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for berate
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2025
Here’s a look at what happened this month: 'That's a lie': Judge berates explanation for laying offs
U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco Thursday delivered one of the most far-reaching court defeats in the administration's efforts to gut the federal bureaucracy.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
This visit ended with Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating the Ukrainian leader in front of the world's media.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Vance berated Zelenskyy for not being thankful for the support the U.S. has provided Ukraine.
—Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for berate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berate
Verb
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Back in the fortress, the Man of Steel scolds Krypto for wrecking the joint while he was gone.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
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After the kid was saved, Beltran scolded the resident, reminding her not to bring her personal life into the ER — or her attending’s.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Mickey Rourke was reprimanded on Celebrity Big Brother UK after using a homophobic slur toward fellow housemate JoJo Siwa.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
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The mom comes back and then reprimanded me for not supporting her baby’s head.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Quilting group hosts lecture, workshop El Camino Quilt Guild meets at 9:30 a.m. April 8 at El Corazon Senior Center, 3302 Senior Center Drive.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
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But the club’s members didn’t lecture or advocate until 20 years after its 1876 founding.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One creative and former National Design Award winner, who has a work visa to be in the U.S., criticized the Trump administration, but declined to comment, due to his residency.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
4 Apr. 2025
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On Wednesday, Trump announced sweeping tariffs that have been mostly criticized by agricultural and food groups for their potential to shrink markets for farmers and raise consumer prices.—
Tom Polansek and Leah Douglas,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Berate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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