berating
Giving a tongue-lashing
Berating is harshly scolding or criticizing someone at length.
The word suggests sustained verbal attack rather than a single sharp remark: She berated him for forgetting their anniversary.
A boss berates an employee, a coach berates a player, a parent berates a child—always from a position of authority or moral high ground, real or assumed.
Formal institutional disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- denunciationFormal public accusation
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- displeasureMild anger or disapproval
dissatisfaction · disappointment · disfavor · contempt · disdain · objection · criticism · faultfinding
Formal expression of disapproval
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- scoldRebuke harshly
- admonishReprove with counsel
chide · castigate · reproach · lecture · lambaste · tongue-lash · excoriate · nag
Angry prolonged outburst
- diatribeBitter, prolonged verbal attack
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
- vituperationBitter verbal abuse
fulmination · outburst · tongue-lashing · broadside · earful · screed · polemic · jeremiad
Severely and bitingly critical
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
savage · severe · stern · merciless · biting · stinging · sharp · vitriolic
Expression of disapproval or warning
- reproofExpression of blame
- chasteningCorrective humiliation
- remonstrationFormal expression of disapproval
- warningAlert about danger
caution · lesson · correction · counsel · exhortation
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- overbearingArrogantly dominating in manner
browbeating · hectoring · tyrannical · heavy-handed · oppressive · coercive · aggressive · belligerent
censure
Formal institutional disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- denunciationFormal public accusation
- reproachExpression of disappointment
displeasure · dissatisfaction · disappointment · disfavor · contempt · disdain · objection · criticism · faultfinding · discontent
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
admonish · chide · castigate · reproach · lecture · lambaste · tongue-lash · excoriate · nag · reproof
rant
Angry prolonged outburst
- diatribeBitter, prolonged verbal attack
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
vituperation · fulmination · outburst · tongue-lashing · broadside · earful · screed · polemic · jeremiad · philippic
scathing
Severely and bitingly critical
- blisteringExtremely intense or severe
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
cutting · savage · severe · stern · merciless · biting · stinging · sharp · vitriolic · withering
admonishment
Expression of disapproval or warning
- reproofExpression of blame
- chasteningCorrective humiliation
- remonstrationFormal expression of disapproval
warning · caution · lesson · correction · counsel · exhortation
bullying
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
overbearing · browbeating · hectoring · tyrannical · heavy-handed · oppressive · coercive · aggressive · belligerent · hostile
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, reprimand, nagging
- tiradestirades, tirade, rants, rant, harangues
- verbal fightsargument, quarrel, dispute, confrontation, shouting match
- dominance tacticsbullying, commanding, controlling, dictating, domineering
- reproofsscolding, rebuke, reprimand, admonishment, admonition
beratingpraising
Voicing admiration
commending · complimenting · lauding · acclaiming · extolling
beratingcomforting
Giving emotional ease
encouraging · soothing · building up · reassuring · consoling