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 Maxwell: Central Florida leaders spend more time berating Lynx than supporting the bus system. —

Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2024 Democrats and left-leaning pundits berated him constantly and certainly will continue to do so for the duration of his next term. —

Charles Kay, Baltimore Sun, 12 Nov. 2024 Ashley Darby giving Karen Uber gift cards and Gizelle naming a non-alcoholic cocktail the Grande Dame don’t provoke the same audience response as Tamra berating Shannon for the 19th time. —

Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024 According to the complaint, Acosta was working for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power when Mathis berated him for blocking his driveway with a city dump truck and threatened him with a gun. —

Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for berate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for berate

Verb

Critics at the time said those changes hurt trans athletes, but Hawley and Kennedy scolded Baker this week that no trans women should be allowed in women’s sports at all — a position that’s become a major part of the GOP agenda over the past several years.

Samantha Riedel, Them, 20 Dec. 2024
Chalamet, who played Laurie opposite Ronan's Jo in the 2019 adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott literary classic, recalled his friend and acting colleague scolding him on set for being late to hair and makeup.

Nick Romano, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024