Word · transitive verb · berate someone for/about something · C1 · Formal word for harsh, often excessive verbal attack
berate
bih-RAYT Stress the second syllable: be-RATE.
Criticize someone very angrily and harshly, often at length.
žestoko izgrditi; grubo kritikovati; obrušiti se na nekoga
Use it
The manager berated a new employee for a minor formatting error.
The mismatch between a small mistake and a harsh response shows the verb’s force.
She refused to stand there while strangers berated her about a decision she had not made.
About introduces the topic of the prolonged angry criticism.
Build the sentence
berate + person + for/about + action or failing
Memory scene
One mistake triggers not one correction but a storm of angry words: the criticism keeps beating down long after the point is clear.
Watch out
Berate takes a direct object: berate someone, not berate at someone. It is stronger than tell off and does not imply a legitimate official procedure; the anger may be abusive or unfair.
Nearby language
More informal and often a shorter correction after a specific mistake.
Official criticism from authority; it can be severe without being emotional or prolonged.
The broad neutral verb; it need not involve anger, harshness, or personal attack.
Make it yours
Šef dugo i ponižavajuće napada novog radnika zbog sitne greške u formatiranju.