How to pronounce berate
American English pronunciation
bih-RAYT
- IPA
- /bɪˈɹeɪt/
- Syllables
- bih · RAYT (2 syllables, stress on the 2nd)
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What berate means
To scold someone in a very angry way
In a sentence: Dad tried not to berate me for the messy room.
Where it comes from: From "be-" (thoroughly) plus "rate" (to blame).
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Compare: berate and reprove
Berate is a long, angry scolding; reprove is a gentle telling-off.
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