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
-
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
-
After the meeting, Mr. Schumer pulled him aside for a rare scolding.—
Annie Karni,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
That tracks with a 2017 video lecture Baldoni gave as part of a Baha’i Teachings series titled What if Birth and Death Are Actually the Same?—
Peter Kiefer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The Americans were prepared for a lecture from Russia’s longtime foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, who is well known for his tedious harangues.—
Michael Crowley,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Many from the industry are talking about lessons, strategy, investment and sustainability.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Our communities deserve better than lessons from an institution that prioritizes power over justice.—
Danielle Bryant,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In other words, if the board finds the union does not represent the players, especially without substantively addressing the legal question of whether the players are employees within the meaning of the NLRA, the matter would likely end there.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Any partnership or sponsorship agreement must include specific provisions addressing TikTok unavailability.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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
-
Team members need to feel safe to voice their opinions, ask judgment-free questions, and admit mistakes without fear of punishment and humiliation.—
Martin Zwilling,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
When failure is punished, people stop trying for fear of punishment, and progress slows to a crawl.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
It’s designed to define and separate lashes at the same time.—
Abby Kass,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
-
False lashes are the quickest, easiest way to get lush, flirty lashes for special occasions or just everyday wear.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The woman who organized the protest was gentle in her admonitions.—
Kim Barker,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The meltdown in artificial intelligence stock values this week punctuates Petek’s admonition.—
Dan Walters,
The Mercury News,
30 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share