berate
To scold or criticize someone angrily and at length, often in a harsh or loud manner. It typically occurs when someone in a position of authority expresses strong disapproval of another person's actions or failures.
Examples
3 of 5The teacher had to berate the students for their lack of preparation before the final exam.
The teacher had to berate the students for their lack of preparation before the final exam.
The committee chose to berate the CEO for the company's declining ethical standards.
The committee chose to berate the CEO for the company's declining ethical standards.
Don't berate me just because I forgot to take out the trash this morning.
Don't berate me just because I forgot to take out the trash this morning.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'irate' (meaning very angry). To berate someone, you must be irate.
Quick Quiz
The coach continued to ___ the players for their lack of focus even after they had won the game.
Correct!
The correct answer is: berate
Examples
The teacher had to berate the students for their lack of preparation before the final exam.
everydayThe teacher had to berate the students for their lack of preparation before the final exam.
The committee chose to berate the CEO for the company's declining ethical standards.
formalThe committee chose to berate the CEO for the company's declining ethical standards.
Don't berate me just because I forgot to take out the trash this morning.
informalDon't berate me just because I forgot to take out the trash this morning.
Critics often berate the author for relying too heavily on outdated linguistic tropes.
academicCritics often berate the author for relying too heavily on outdated linguistic tropes.
The manager was known to berate subordinates in front of the entire team, which lowered morale.
businessThe manager was known to berate subordinates in front of the entire team, which lowered morale.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
stop berating yourself
stop berating yourself
berate someone into submission
berate someone into submission
berated for negligence
berated for negligence
Often Confused With
Prate means to talk foolishly or at tedious length about nothing, while berate is to scold harshly.
Rate usually means to assign value or rank, though its archaic meaning (to scold) is actually the root of berate.
Usage Notes
Berate is significantly stronger than 'scold.' It implies a sustained and intense verbal attack rather than a brief correction.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget that berate is a transitive verb; you must berate 'someone' or 'yourself.' It cannot be used without an object.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'irate' (meaning very angry). To berate someone, you must be irate.
Word Origin
Derived from the Middle English prefix 'be-' (intensifier) and 'rate' (to scold or chide).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many modern English-speaking workplaces, berating employees is viewed as abusive behavior or 'toxic' leadership and is increasingly penalized.
Quick Quiz
The coach continued to ___ the players for their lack of focus even after they had won the game.
Correct!
The correct answer is: berate
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