Scold or criticise (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: BERATE (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Scold or criticise" with 6 letters is "BERATE". Berate means to scold or criticize someone angrily, often in a harsh or severe manner. It typically refers to expressing disapproval in a forceful way, such as reprimanding someone for a mistake or bad behavior.
Why “Berate” Fits
The clue asks for a 6-letter word meaning both “scold” and “criticise.” The answer, BERATE, fits neatly:
- Scold: “Berate” means to rebuke or scold someone harshly, often in a loud or angry way.
- Criticise: It also aligns with “criticise”—to verbally express strong disapproval or point out faults.
This double definition makes “BERATE” a concise and precise solution for the clue.
The word “berate” comes from the prefix “be-” (intensifying) and “rate,” an old word meaning to scold or rebuke.
- Usage: “The coach berated the team for not following instructions.”
- Intensity: Berating goes beyond mild criticism; it implies a severe and sometimes public form of reprimand.
- Synonyms: Chide, rebuke, reprimand, upbraid—all suggest similar actions, but “berate” often feels the most intense.
So “berate” bridges both meanings—scolding and criticising—with a tone of seriousness or severity.
In quick crosswords, clues pairing verbs like “scold or criticise”:
- Are classic double-definition clues, both words leading to the same answer.
- Look for strong, action-oriented verbs, and let the answer length (“6”) guide you away from shorter words like "chide" or "blame."
- When both definitions imply high emotion or intensity, words like “berate” are likely candidates.
Identifying this overlap—where both “scold” and “criticise” point to a heightened form of verbal rebuke—helps zero in on the right answer quickly.
