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Showing results for berating.
Definitions

berating

[bih-rey-ting] / bɪˈreɪ tɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
faultfinding
Synonyms
STRONG
carping
WEAK
captious caviling censorious niggling querulous
Antonyms
WEAK
praising
NOUN
admonition
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rebuke reprimand
STRONG
reproach reproval upbraiding
WEAK
dressing down talking-to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
praise
NOUN
invective
Synonyms
STRONGEST
denunciation diatribe epithet tirade
STRONG
accusation billingsgate blame blasphemy castigation censure condemnation contumely jeremiad obloquy philippic reproach revilement sarcasm scurrility tongue-lashing vilification vituperation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
praise
STRONG
approval compliment exculpation exoneration
WEAK
flattery
NOUN
jeremiad
Synonyms
STRONGEST
diatribe screed
STRONG
anger censure condemnation denunciation dispute fulmination harangue invective lecture malediction philippic ranting revilement sermon tongue-lashing vituperation
Antonyms
STRONG
approval compliment flattery praise
NOUN
rebuke
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonition censure condemnation disapproval punishment rebuff reproach snub
STRONG
admonishment affliction blame castigation chiding comeuppance correction earful expostulation going-over lecture lesson objurgation ostracism put down rap rating refusal remonstrance reprehension reproof reproval repulse row scolding tongue-lashing upbraiding
WEAK
bawling-out chewing-out dressing-down hard time kick in the teeth slap in the face talking-to telling-off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approval encouragement endorsement exoneration praise sanction
STRONG
commendation flattery
WEAK
compliment
NOUN
revilement
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse billingsgate blame castigation censure contumely criticism defamation insults invective libel obloquy railing reprimand reproach scolding scurrility slander tirade upbraiding
WEAK
bad-mouthing reviling scurrilousness verbal abuse
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation flattery praise respect
NOUN
reviling
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse blame censure insults libel railing reprimand reproach scolding slander upbraiding
WEAK
bad-mouthing billingsgate castigation contumely criticism defamation invective obloquy revilement scurrility scurrilousness tirade verbal abuse
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment praise respect
NOUN
scolding
Synonyms
STRONG
chiding rating rebuke reprehension reprimand
WEAK
chewing-out talking-to
Antonyms
STRONG
praise
WEAK
commendation compliment
NOUN
scurrility
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse billingsgate blame castigation censure contumely criticism defamation insults invective libel obloquy railing reprimand reproach revilement scolding slander tirade upbraiding
WEAK
bad-mouthing reviling scurrilousness verbal abuse
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation flattery praise respect
NOUN
scurrilousness
Synonyms
WEAK
abuse bad-mouthing billingsgate blame castigation censure contumely criticism defamation insults invective libel obloquy railing reprimand reproach revilement reviling scolding scurrility slander tirade upbraiding verbal abuse
NOUN
tirade
Synonyms
STRONGEST
denunciation diatribe harangue invective ranting screed sermon
STRONG
anger censure condemnation dispute fulmination jeremiad lecture malediction philippic revilement tongue-lashing vituperation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment praise
WEAK
calm harmony peace
NOUN
tongue-lashing
Synonyms
STRONG
castigation chiding diatribe objurgation scolding upbraiding
WEAK
bawling-out dressing-down talking-to
Antonyms
STRONG
praise
NOUN
vituperation
Synonyms
STRONG
blame castigation censure criticism defamation insults libel obloquy reprimand reproach scolding slander tirade upbraiding
WEAK
bad-mouthing verbal abuse
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation praise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Despite Egadze scoring only 154.79 for the free skate - 27 points lower than his season best - there was no berating.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

Since Takaichi’s remark on Taiwan in November, Beijing’s retaliation has included berating Tokyo at the United Nations, canceling flights to Japan and tightening export controls on goods with potential military uses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

Former Rep. Katie Porter — an early leader in polls — late last year faltered after videos emerged of her screaming at an aide and berating a reporter.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

There is romance, drama, pathos and the verbal berating of hotel staff and music video directors.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025

He ignored his threat to begin at zero if anyone did that and made do with berating them.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover