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.

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

A man dressed as Batman berated officials in the California city set to host the Super Bowl next month over claims they could let ICE officers patrol the NFL championship game.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Both she and Trump also publicly berated CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins this week.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025

Also on Wednesday, Sheinbaum voiced support for Mexico’s Miss Universe representative, who walked out of the pageant along with several other contestants after she was berated by a male pageant official, who called her “dumb.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

He didn’t know what possessed Aunt Hila to think that he’d eat while being berated for being too much like his father.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny