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

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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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

Example 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 The episode followed an earlier confrontation at a Fever-Seattle Storm game, where two teenage Cunningham supporters wearing XX-XY Athletics apparel said they were berated by pro-trans fans and a Storm minority owner. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 During a livestream of a pre-pageant event, Itsaragrisil berated Miss Mexico’s Fátima Bosch, accusing her of shirking mandatory promotional responsibilities for the host country. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026 There’s no real villain to denounce or berate, and that is perhaps the most heartbreaking part of all. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 As potential intermingling threatened this segregation, a white sergeant started berating the Black troops who already had their trays, shouting at them to dump their food and clear the room. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for berate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for berate

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Robert Pozen, who lectures at MIT Sloan School of Management and was formerly president of Fidelity Investments, has an answer to the obvious question about who inspects this.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of lecture

Verb

Judge William Sullivan declined to declare a mistrial but sharply reprimanded the prosecution and told the jury to disregard Heilbrun’s statements on Clancy’s faith.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit says the officer was reprimanded and removed from further field training of Wadell.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

The move came days after Stephens publicly criticized EMCC and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference leadership over changes to the league’s football schedule and playoff format.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticize

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“Berate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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