berate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb censure severely or angrily
    call on the carpet; rag; dress down; remonstrate; chew out; take to task; call down; jaw; lambast; trounce; scold; chide; chew up; have words; rebuke; reprimand; reproof; lecture; bawl out; lambaste.
    • The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
    • The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
    • The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup

WordNet


Be*rate" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Berated; present participle & verbal noun Berating
Definitions
  1. To rate or chide vehemently; to scold. Holland. Motley.

Webster 1913