Berate

/bɪˈreɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To scold or criticize someone angrily.

The teacher berated the students for not completing their assignments on time.

To reprimand or reproach in a loud and angry manner.

After the mistake, his boss berated him in front of the entire office.

To express disapproval or scorn through harsh words.

She didn't appreciate being berated publicly for a minor error.

To chide or rebuke severely.

The coach berated the team after their disappointing performance in the game.

To criticize someone in a harsh and abusive way.

The critic berated the film for its poor plot and shallow characters.

Derives from the prefix 'be-' meaning 'about' and 'rate', which is from the Old English 'ræde' meaning 'to advise'.

berate someone

To scold someone fiercely.

berate over

To criticize someone intensely about a specific issue.

reprimand

To formally express disapproval.

scold

To rebuke someone, typically for misbehavior.

rebuke

To express sharp disapproval or criticism.

Lay into someone

He really laid into him for missing practice.

Give someone a dressing down

The manager gave her a dressing down for the mistake.