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
Relevance
as in scolding
Related Words
Dissimilar 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
Verb
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 scolding came after Combs seemingly nodded at jurors during Bongolan’s testimony about the balcony incident.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
-
Neither his pressure on the Ukrainian leader, who Trump lambasted in the Oval Office, nor his recent scolding of the Kremlin ruler appear to have pushed the two sides any closer to a peace deal.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Three days of readings, a lecture, musical performances and even a children’s version of the running of the bulls are planned for the Hemingway Birthday Weekend, July 18-20 in Oak Park.—
Myrna Petlicki,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
Generally, all expedition cruise operators include many of the activities – with some available for an extra charge – most meals and beverages, onboard lectures, Citizen Science activities, and select gear such as parkas, per Maguire.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Similar to linebacker, the Bears’ moves up front this offseason make addressing safety a possibility in the draft.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Toxic positivity often prevents teams from fully addressing difficult problems.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After attending an initial 90-minute lesson, the instructor sent the class on our way to finish our scarves.—
Jann E. Freed,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Adams said his experience with the jetport taught him lessons.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Nothing, perhaps, has grated more than last month’s Oval Office dressing-down of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 June 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Mackenzie sued, arguing that under the Constitution, her American birth gave her citizenship as a right, not a privilege, to be removed only as punishment for a crime or through voluntary expatriation.—
Marcia Biederman,
Hartford Courant,
13 July 2025
-
In April, the U.S. government revoked all South Sudanese visas as punishment for the country after its government refused to accept a deportee who was in fact from the Democratic Republic of Congo.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
As the name implies, ghost lashes are a bare or slightly enhanced eye look centered around your natural lashes.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
14 July 2025
-
This grippy, volumizing, long-lasting, and easy-to-remove tubing formula coats your lashes in rich pigment (choose between classic black and chocolatey brown) for all-day wear that withstands the elements.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
-
There was no such admonition against his feeling here.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share