1
as in scolding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
a tyrannical father who used the dinner hour to baste his children for their many perceived shortcomings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in licking
to strike repeatedly
basted the thief with a stick while he cried out for help
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Recent Examples of basting
Three hours at medium low heat with an adobada marinade, basting every hour or so.
—
Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Cook, covered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest portion of chicken breast registers 160°F and thighs and legs register 180°F, 25 to 30 minutes, basting every 5 minutes.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, basting once or twice, until caramelized and shiny.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
This set includes a silicone-tipped brush with an attached lid that also doubles as a heat shield when basting.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Cook, basting with sauce, just until warmed and cooked through, 3–4 minutes.
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Brush with the yakitori sauce and continue grilling, turning and basting with the sauce every 30 seconds, until the chicken is glazed and cooked through, about 2 minutes more.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, she's interrupted by Wahlberg, 56, who calls her out for basting without her.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Continue roasting another 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting with the pan juices every 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Cook, covered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest portion of chicken breast registers 160°F and thighs and legs register 180°F, 25 to 30 minutes, basting every 5 minutes.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, basting once or twice, until caramelized and shiny.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
This set includes a silicone-tipped brush with an attached lid that also doubles as a heat shield when basting.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Cook, basting with sauce, just until warmed and cooked through, 3–4 minutes.
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Brush with the yakitori sauce and continue grilling, turning and basting with the sauce every 30 seconds, until the chicken is glazed and cooked through, about 2 minutes more.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, she's interrupted by Wahlberg, 56, who calls her out for basting without her.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Continue roasting another 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting with the pan juices every 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basting
Verb
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Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
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Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even small exposures—such as licking pollen off fur or drinking water from a vase containing lilies—can be toxic.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
15 May 2026
-
Vietnamese-style sweet-and-spicy chicken wings are a hot, finger-licking mess.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
Verb
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One can scarcely imagine Davis agreeing to a management interview with Forbes or lecturing executives about organizational leadership.—
Bill Fischer,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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The cruel cartoon of a constantly shrewish, venal, and disloyal Mary began cementing itself in the public mind when William Herndon, Lincoln’s Springfield law partner, started lecturing about his reminiscences within months of the President’s murder.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Verb
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Goldschmidt, lashing through the unhittable delivery, just stood in dismay.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
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The competition’s main host, the United States, is lashing out at the world, hunting conflict across three continents.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Verb
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If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Hart was reprimanding Ross for doing what is the most offensive thing a comedian can do — suck up to the most important person in the room — and enforcing an old ethic in comedy, which is not apologizing for your jokes.—
Robert Lynch,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The segments that follow Bonnier de La Chapelle are admittedly more successful and sophisticated, bringing to mind the heart-pounding essence of a Costa-Gavras political thriller.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
25 May 2026
-
Moore and Kaveon Jackson took turns pounding the ball on the ground and then Nordman hit Moore with the big touchdown from 15 yards out that set off a wild DeLand celebration on the Bulldogs’ sideline.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 May 2026
Verb
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In March, Warren led the Massachusetts delegation in a letter to the State Department criticizing the administration’s lack of preparation in terms of evacuating Americans and pressing for answers on its response.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
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The agreement was immediately challenged in Kenya’s High Court, with opponents criticizing it for unfavorable terms.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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In baseball news, Screencaps the III got his very first legitimate hit of the season by lacing one over the second baseman's head last night with winds whipping 20-25 mph off Lake Erie.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
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It was delivered by the 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama, whose torso uncorked in a fit of frustration that sent his right elbow whipping toward Reid’s windpipe like a torpedo bat flying through the strike zone.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Basting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basting. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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