berating 1 of 2

noun

as in reprimand

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berating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of berate
as in scolding
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

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 berating
Noun
Teacher and counselor Ashley Williams was standing by while another employee copied the footage of Morrison berating, hitting and directing other students to assault the 13-year-old boy. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 15 July 2026 Even at the best of times to carry such a shocking tale to Varsha’s mother, Dipika, would mean risking a berating and possibly even dismissal. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 She has also been credited with a more compassionate way of hosting a cooking show, rather than the berating that previously featured on many food shows. — Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026 Trump’s berating of China earlier this year has also brought rewards to Xi domestically, too. — Kerry Brown, Time, 31 Oct. 2025 Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud's berating of a Christian minister who objected to street signs named after an Arab American leader is being called out by his electoral opponent. — Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 The Fox morning show paid tribute to Leavitt with a video montage of her berating and insulting reporters from the White House podium. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Ten minutes of berating the inanimate object later the connection was back, and my (out of focus) views of totality were on their way to our solar eclipse live blog. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Those included command staff berating officers behind closed doors, threatening discipline if officers discussed those conversations and trainers demoralizing recruits, according to the lawsuit. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026 In 2011, Galliano was fired by Dior after he was captured on video berating patrons of a Paris bar by praising Hitler and saying their ancestors would have been gassed. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 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 Meanwhile, Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was suspended and fined after allegedly berating two young Cunningham fans who were sitting courtside for celebrating Cunningham's stance on women's sports. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 His tenure came to an end when video surfaced of a drunken Galliano berating other customers at a Paris bar with vile antisemitic insults. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for berating
  1. reprimand
  2. scolding
  3. rebuke
  4. lecturing
  5. lashing
  6. reprimanding
  7. reproof
  8. criticizing
Noun
  • Under the Premier League’s general disciplinary rules, its board can issue a reprimand, impose a fine of up to £100,000 through its summary jurisdiction or refer an alleged breach to an independent commission.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The internal affairs investigator recommended a verbal reprimand, which was approved by Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
    — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Do not punish your dog by scolding or yelling at them, as this may make your dog's behavior worse out of fear or stress.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026
Definition of scolding
Noun
  • Last week's announcement even elicited rare rebukes from Republican lawmakers, some of whom are up for reelection in a few months.
    — Joe Hernandez, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The chorus of voices criticizing US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s bond buyback strategy grew Tuesday, with the harshest rebuke yet coming from a former mentor.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebuke
Verb
  • Approaching hesitant individuals Health experts said that addressing vaccine-hesitant people starts with listening rather than lecturing.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Today, young people are increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of politicians lecturing them about the virtues of voting while in practice facilitating disengagement.
    — David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of lecturing
Noun
  • For aficionados of foams and flavorings, there’s a seasonal rotation of coffee concoctions such as the Lakeside Daydream, cold brew with a lashing of raspberry syrup and a cloud of pistachio cold foam.
    — Lila Harron Battis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Instead people voted with their wallets and not a single person was harmed except maybe some marketing guys getting a tongue lashing.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of lashing
Verb
  • The audience awkwardly chuckles, and Scovel, eyes still closed, begins reprimanding them.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of reprimanding
Noun
  • In the appeal to you, gentle readers, to email us with your thoughts, questions, reproofs, corrections, jokes, recipes, etc.
    — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 May 2025
  • Advertisement China’s Foreign Ministry also issued a vehement reproof.
    — Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Definition of reproof
Verb
  • Republican lawmaker Carl DeMaio of San Diego has vocalized his opposition in discussions of the bill, criticizing the idea of providing funding to outlets that make political endorsements.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Yiannopoulos rose to prominence through his provocative statements criticizing political correctness, feminism and Islam.
    — Chris Arnold, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticizing

Browse Nearby Words

berates
berating
bereave
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Cite this Entry

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

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