Berates (6)
I believe the answer is:
scolds
'berates' is the definition.
('scold' can be a synonym of 'berate')
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for scolds that I've seen before include "Tells off, rebukes" , "Censures, berates" , "Nags - naggers" , "Reprimands, tells off harshly" , "Chides, reprimands" .)