berate
/bɪˈɹeɪt/
Group 24Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To scold or criticize someone angrily GRE
Example in Context
The coach berated the team after the loss, though players later said the harsh words served as motivation for the remainder of the season.
Synonyms
scoldyell atlambaste
Etymology
To make someone feel scolded intensely.
- be- (Old English) — to make
- rate (Old English) — to scold
Memory Aid
⏰Sounds like “be late”
If you’re ‘BE LATE’, your boss will BERATE you like a drill sergeant!
Visual Association
📣A furious teacher shouting at a student in front of the whole class for being late.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “berate” mean on the GRE?
berate (verb) means “To scold or criticize someone angrily”. The coach berated the team after the loss, though players later said the harsh words served as motivation for the remainder of the season.
How to remember “berate” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “berate” sounds like “be late”. If you’re ‘BE LATE’, your boss will BERATE you like a drill sergeant!
What are synonyms for “berate”?
Common synonyms: scold, yell at, lambaste.