scolding

noun scold·ing \ ˈskōl-diŋ \

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Definition of scolding

1 : the action of one who scolds

2 : a harsh reproof

gave the child a sharp scolding for running into the road

Recent Examples of scolding from the Web

Those facts don't invalidate Corker's past criticism of Trump or current scolding of his colleagues for not being willing to stand up to the President.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Let's not crown Bob Corker just yet," 13 June 2018
Walsh’s scolding came after a 31-28 preseason loss to the Chargers on Aug. 15, 1981, at Candlestick.

— eric branch, San Francisco Chronicle, "49ers: Without ‘The Tackle,’ there might not have been ‘The Catch’," 9 Jan. 2018
Thus Walz’ suspension amounts to a symbolic scolding but not a setback.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "NCAA's lash leaves no mark on U of L's women's coach Jeff Walz," 26 May 2018
The scolding, cartoonish parents of his novels were pure fiction.

— douglas perry, OregonLive.com, "Woodburn teenager arrested after allegedly making school-shooting threats on Snapchat," 23 May 2018
Two additional Republicans, John Katko of New York and David Trott of Michigan, signed on after McCarthy's scolding, leaving the group just four signatures shy of their goal.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "Ham sandwiches, yes; presidents, no," 17 May 2018
The performance earned Musk a scolding from various industry analysts, who noted that the CEO needed to be more forthcoming considering Tesla's ongoing production woes with its pivotal entry-level sedan.

— marco della cava, USA TODAY, "Tesla says it may need cash, after Musk says it doesn't," 7 May 2018
Over the course of their rocky 15-month relationship, Merkel has largely gravitated toward the scolding.

— kevin liptak, CNN, "Trump's backslapping diplomacy gives way to sterner talks with Merkel," 27 Apr. 2018
Rental apologies, the obverse of rental scoldings, can be particularly thorny.

— kathryn schulz, The New Yorker, "Japan’s Rent-a-Family Industry," 23 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scolding.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of scolding

1547

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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