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 Obumseli chronicled their arguments in a series of recordings, which caught Clenney angrily screaming, berating and cursing him out using racist slurs. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Yet, White House officials told me, Biden sometimes brusquely dismissed the views of both men, raising his voice as though berating children. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Swinehart says in his lawsuit that Smith called him and berated him about not following her recommendation. — Matt Moret, New York Times, 18 July 2026 Indeed, the movie opens with Ed quizzing an older Greek man he’s befriended on the Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester, before berating him for confusing his Bottega Veneta loafers for Sebago. — CNN Money, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for berate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for berate

Verb

Mills was grabbed and scolded by defensive coordinator Aden Durde for his obvious no-no.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Dodge the question, scold the critics and kick the can down the road.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

The audience awkwardly chuckles, and Scovel, eyes still closed, begins reprimanding them.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Rangel, who relinquished his position as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee amid the inquiry, was eventually censured, the first time a congressman had been thusly reprimanded in public in almost three decades.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

Wasserman Schultz was sharply criticized by Black community leaders and the other four candidates, who are all African American, for running in this district.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Ba's novels explored women caught between traditional upbringing and modern aspirations, criticizing polygamy, widespread in the country, and patriarchy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticize

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“Berate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/berate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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