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
The Trump administration's thawing of relations with Russia comes after Trump stunned Ukraine and NATO allies by berating Zelensky at an Oval Office meeting last month.
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Censure: Moskowitz was one of only 10 Democrats to vote with the Republicans in favor of censuring U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who interrupted, berated and waved his cane at President Donald Trump during his March 4 speech to a joint session of Congress.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
Maron could be a reluctant subject, at times berating Feinartz off camera for relentlessly filming him over multiple years.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025
The change of approach relative to that taken by President Biden became striking after Trump berated Zelensky on Feb. 28 in the Oval Office.
—Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for berate
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Censure: Moskowitz was one of only 10 Democrats to vote with the Republicans in favor of censuring U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who interrupted, berated and waved his cane at President Donald Trump during his March 4 speech to a joint session of Congress.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
Maron could be a reluctant subject, at times berating Feinartz off camera for relentlessly filming him over multiple years.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025
The change of approach relative to that taken by President Biden became striking after Trump berated Zelensky on Feb. 28 in the Oval Office.
—Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 15 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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Logical consistency would require these legislators to reprimand PURA’s rigid approach and call for more regulatory flexibility so utilities can invest proactively in essential cybersecurity measures.—
Brian Harrell,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2025
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As John Cena and The Rock's Third Man WWE Could Steal Away Top AEW Star: Report Strickland recounted a meeting with Vince McMahon, where the group was reprimanded for a member's aggressive phone call to a WWE office employee regarding B-Fab's flight details.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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For decades, Washington lectured Beijing about avoiding protectionism, eliminating barriers to foreign investment, and disciplining the use of subsidies and industrial policy—with only modest success.—
Michael B. G. Froman,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Mar. 2025
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Boutros has also lectured at the University of Chicago Law School since 2011 and published two books on white-collar law.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 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 14 Apr. 2025.
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