berate

IPA/bɪˈreɪt/
KK[bɪrˈet]IPA/bɪˈreɪt/

berate — verb

  • beratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • berateshe / she / it
  • beratedpast simple
  • berating-ing form

1. to tell someone in a very angry and forceful way that they have done something w

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to tell someone in a very angry and forceful way that they have done something wrong, often at length and in front of other people

例句

The coach berated the team for their careless mistakes during the second half of the match.

berate + person + for + noun phrase (reason)

Linh berated herself for forgetting her passport at home on the morning of her flight.

同義詞
  • scold

    more general and less intense; often used for everyday, informal reprimands (B2)

  • rebuke

    similar level of formality but usually shorter in duration and less emotionally charged (C1)

  • reprimand

    formal, often official disciplinary setting; implies authority (C1)

  • chastise

    slightly old-fashioned; can be milder or, historically, imply physical punishment (C1)

反義詞
  • praise

    express warm approval; opposite in both tone and intention (A2)

  • commend

    formal opposite; to praise officially or publicly (C1)

文法句型

berate + person + for + noun/gerund

berate + oneself (reflexive)

用法筆記

Frequently used with a 'for'-phrase that states the reason for the anger. This verb often implies a sustained, loud reprimand rather than a quick comment. The object is always a person or oneself — never an abstract concept or a that-clause.

常見錯誤

My teacher berated that I was late.
My teacher berated me for being late.
💡'berate' requires a person as the direct object, not a that-clause.
She berated at her son for lying.
She berated her son for lying.
💡'berate' is transitive; no preposition is needed before the person being criticised.