berated

verb

past tense of berate
as in scolded
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 berated He was berated by pockets of Brighton supporters at the Amex Stadium after a 1-0 defeat by bitter rivals Crystal Palace in February during a winter slump of one win in 13 league games. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 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 The next day, after Trump berated Republicans for allowing the measure to pass, the Senate rejected a nearly identical resolution, but the earlier rebuke was unmistakable. — Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026 All the while, Donnie berated her for doubting him and demanded an apology. — Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026 As 404 Media reports, Northern District of Mississippi judge Sharion Aycock berated everybody involved in a sanctions order, ultimately fining them, canceling the trial, and barring half of them from appearing in the district’s court for two years. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 11 June 2026 Prosecutors said the victim was constantly yelled at, berated and not allowed to go outside unattended. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 1 June 2026 After a nearfall, Becky got in Jessika Carr’s face and berated her. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berated
  1. scolded
  2. lectured
  3. reprimanded
  4. criticized
Verb
  • 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
  • For over a year, the White House has scolded and threatened the Smithsonian.
    — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolded
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
  • We’re also lectured early on that Cole is a chess master, but his alleged intelligence never pays off.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lectured
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 reprimanded
Verb
  • Some parties, including wildfire survivors and some lawmakers that represent fire-scarred districts, had criticized his accountability measures as too loose.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But the union representing former Spirit flight attendants has criticized the carrier for selling the data.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticized

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Cite this Entry

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

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