berate
definition
to scold or criticize someone angrily
example
The teacher decided to berate the students for their lack of preparation for the exam.
synonyms
rebukereprimandscold
word origin — from the prefix 'be-' meaning 'about' and 'rate' from Old French 'reprocher' or Latin 'reprehendere', meaning to seize or hold back; combined to suggest the act of holding someone back through criticism.