Vocabulary Spotlight
Berate
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To scold or criticize someone angrily and at length.
“The coach berated the team for their lack of effort during the game.”
Pronunciation
[bih-reyt]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Rebuke
Reprimand
Criticize
Chastise
Antonyms
Commend
Compliment
Encourage
Applaud
Related Words
Lecture
Discipline
Word Origin
“Berate” comes from Middle English, combining “be-” (to intensify) with “rate,” meaning “to scold.” It implies scolding someone forcefully or harshly.
Word Family
Verb: Berate – To scold angrily.
Noun: Berating – The act of criticizing harshly.
Adjective: Berated – Having been scolded or reprimanded.
Mnemonics
Think “be” + “rate” – to give someone a low “rating” by scolding or criticizing them harshly.
Industry-specific Usage
Education
In education, a teacher may berate students if they are not putting in the expected effort, though this is often discouraged.
Business
In the workplace, managers may berate employees for not meeting deadlines or standards, although constructive feedback is preferred.
Sports
In sports, coaches may berate players to push them toward improvement, although positive reinforcement is usually more effective.
In Context
“Berate” is used to describe situations where someone criticizes another forcefully, often as a means of expressing frustration or disappointment.