berated

[bih-rey-tid] / bɪˈreɪ tɪd /

VERB

criticize hatefully

Synonyms

STRONGEST

castigate chide rebuke reprimand reproach revile scold upbraid

STRONG

blister censure chew jaw rate reprove scorch vituperate

WEAK

bawl out call down chew out cuss out eat out give one hell give what for jump all over rail at rake over the coals tell off tongue-lash

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compliment flatter laud praise

WEAK

hail

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has openly berated reporters during Pentagon briefings for using headlines the administration dislikes.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

Back in January at the peak of the furore over Greenland, the Treasury Secretary openly berated Deutsche Bank’s George Saravelos after the currency strategist speculated that European institutions could dump $8 trillion of U.S.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

Under cross examination, however, Kaley talked about feeling neglected, berated and picked on by family members, causing depression and anxiety that had nothing to do with social media.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Noem routinely berated staff if she saw Homan on TV and kept track of both their appearances to make sure she was on TV more than him, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

The chief guard on duty berated me for arriving a day later than my orders specified, and sent me to the barracks.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin