BERATE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'berate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of berate are rail , revile , scold , upbraid , and vituperate . While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding. // berated continually by an overbearing boss

Q: When is 'rail' a more appropriate choice than 'berate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to berate , rail ( at or against ) stresses an unrestrained berating. // railed loudly at their insolence

Q: Where would 'revile' be a reasonable alternative to 'berate'?

In some situations, the words revile and berate are roughly equivalent. However, revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred. // an alleged killer reviled in the press

Q: When could 'scold' be used to replace 'berate'?

The synonyms scold and berate are sometimes interchangeable, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly. // angrily scolding the children

Q: When can 'upbraid' be used instead of 'berate'?

The words upbraid and berate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds. // upbraided her assistants for poor research

Q: When would 'vituperate' be a good substitute for 'berate'?

The meanings of vituperate and berate largely overlap; however, vituperate suggests a violent reviling. // was vituperated for betraying his friends

berate

verb

bi-ˈrāt

Definition of berate next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb berate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of berate are rail, revile, scold, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When is rail a more appropriate choice than berate?

While in some cases nearly identical to berate, rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

Where would revile be a reasonable alternative to berate?

In some situations, the words revile and berate are roughly equivalent. However, revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When could scold be used to replace berate?

The synonyms scold and berate are sometimes interchangeable, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When can upbraid be used instead of berate?

The words upbraid and berate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

When would vituperate be a good substitute for berate?

The meanings of vituperate and berate largely overlap; however, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Examples 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 berate Matt Barnes dropped as Sacramento Kings analyst weeks after incident at Crespi High game Former UCLA, Lakers and Clippers forward berated officials and confronted a Harvard-Westlake student broadcaster during a high school game. —

Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024 Williams regularly berated the militia’s rank and file. —

Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025 Another aspect to observe is that the AI didn’t berate me for wanting to drink. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 Her inevitable depletion of impulse control culminates in berating the drunk driver who killed her mother, then trying to self-soothe by sleeping with Connor. —

Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for berate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for berate

Verb

The Anti-Defamation League is scolding Elon Musk after coming to the billionaire titan’s defense earlier in the week.

— James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
Those opinions are usually punctuated by scolding those who do not immediately comply.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2025