berate

Berate is a transitive verb meaning to scold or criticize someone angrily and at length. It describes a reprimand delivered in a harsh or punitive manner, often with a raised voice or sharp language. The act is typically directed at a person for perceived faults, mistakes, or failures and is usually intended to correct behavior through severe admonition rather than constructive feedback. Common constructions include berate someone for something or berate someone about something.

Etymology provides sparse, somewhat uncertain detail. The word appears to derive from be- plus rate, with rate meaning to scold or rebuke. The sense of harsh verbal reprimand is attested in English from the 18th or 19th century, with the exact lineage not always clear.

Usage notes emphasize the strong negative connotation of berate. It can be seen as an example of abusive or overly emotional communication and is often discouraged in professional or formal contexts in favor of milder terms such as rebuke, reprimand, admonish, or critique. In reporting or narrative writing, berate may be used to convey the intensity of a reprimand or the dynamics of a confrontational moment, but it should be chosen when such forcefulness accurately reflects the situation.

Examples illustrate typical usage: “The coach berated the team for failing to follow the game plan,” and “The supervisor berated the employee for repeated absences.” The present participle form is berating, and the past tense is berated.