Crossword Genius

Reprimand insect biting rodent (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

berate

'reprimand' is the definition.
(I know that reprimand can be written as berate)

'insect biting rodent' is the wordplay.
'insect' becomes 'bee' (bee is a type of insect).
'biting' indicates putting letters inside (some letters bite or swallow others).
'rodent' becomes 'rat' (rat is a kind of rodent).
'bee' placed around 'rat' is 'BERATE'.

(Other definitions for berate that I've seen before include "Scold, censure" , "Rebate (anag.)" , "Condemn" , "Reprimand" , "Scold harshly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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