as in scolding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in speaking (to or with)
to communicate with by means of spoken words
I had never talked to a real live cowboy before
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of talking-to
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 Jan. 2025
Roberts pulled the reliever in, gave him what seemed like a fatherly talking-to, and – after Ramirez got out of the inning with the very next pitch – noted that sometimes the best course is not to yell and scream at a player.
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 30 May 2024
Noun
Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 Jan. 2025
Roberts pulled the reliever in, gave him what seemed like a fatherly talking-to, and – after Ramirez got out of the inning with the very next pitch – noted that sometimes the best course is not to yell and scream at a player.
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 30 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talking-to
Noun
-
The meeting had been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding.—
Brian Melley and Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
-
From her sharp scolding of a student nurse to her own tears of self-recrimination, Floria is a full-blooded and beautifully etched character and, yes, a heroine.—
Sheri Linden,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
At these exhibitions, Colton would start with a brief lecture explaining the gas and its scientific properties, then invite volunteers from the audience to try it for themselves.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The lecture will feature tribal representatives Stan Rodriguez, Priscilla Ortiz and Andrew Pittman, along with Nan Renner, senior director of strategic partnerships at Birch Aquarium.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This is the grim lesson—one that the ambitious sycophants who attach themselves to power have always been slow to learn—of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Trilogy, a series of fat, dense novels that filter the reign of Henry VIII through the rise and fall of his Machiavellian advisor, Thomas Cromwell.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
-
If there’s one lesson that Elson most wants to impress upon her daughter?—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Identifying and addressing these core issues sustains morale while driving real progress.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Rather than implementing sweeping bans or heavy-handed restrictions, policymakers should focus on enforcing existing laws, ensuring responsible management, and addressing concerns without punishing an industry that’s so important for Florida’s economy.—
Shaun McCorry,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Nine goals, a 30-minute hat-trick, an unlikely comeback, a last-gasp winner, comedic errors and a dressing-down on the pitch at full-time, all played out in teeming rain in Lisbon, made this a night to remember.—
Tim Spiers,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
-
So, while O’Neil will be in constant dialogue with Mosquera about ensuring his actions do not cross a line and disadvantage his team, there are no plans for a dressing-down over Saturday nor moves to curb his fiery streak too much.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
20 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
The new taxes would be on top of the 20% tariffs announced as punishment for fentanyl trafficking and his separate 34% tariffs announced last week.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Janine lost her eye as punishment at the Red Center, the training facility for Handmaids.—
Alexandra Hurtado,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
As Gwendolyn Ogura, senior lash artist at Hairy Little Things, explains, a lash lift is a semipermanent treatment that lifts and curls your natural lashes to give you the appearance of longer, fuller lashes.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Whether doing waterline eyeliner, defining your upper lashes, or blending broad strokes into eyeshadow-esque coverage, this liner is ready to play.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Elon Musk and some conservatives on Capitol Hill are not heeding an admonition this week from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and continue to wield political arguments while calling for impeachment of federal judges.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
20 Mar. 2025
-
On Sundays, the help’s day off, her mother handed her over to her father with an admonition: Do something with her.—
Barry Singer,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share