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
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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
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
Nestle the pork directly on the veggie bed and roast for up to 2 hours more, basting the veggies and pork every 20 minutes, until the internal temperature of the pork reads 165 degrees and the veggies are tender and golden.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Silicone Craft Series Basting Brush Grillmasters and bakers swear by this silicone basting brush that’s designed with an ergonomic handle and made from heat-resistant, conical bristles.
—Emily Weaver, 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
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F, and bake until a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thigh registers 165°F, 2 hours, 45 minutes to 3 hours, 45 minutes, basting with pan juices every 45 minutes.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Their skin is separated from the meat so the fat can render beneath it, crisping the surface while basting the flesh from within.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
Nestle the pork directly on the veggie bed and roast for up to 2 hours more, basting the veggies and pork every 20 minutes, until the internal temperature of the pork reads 165 degrees and the veggies are tender and golden.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Silicone Craft Series Basting Brush Grillmasters and bakers swear by this silicone basting brush that’s designed with an ergonomic handle and made from heat-resistant, conical bristles.
—Emily Weaver, 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
Reduce oven temperature to 350°F, and bake until a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of thigh registers 165°F, 2 hours, 45 minutes to 3 hours, 45 minutes, basting with pan juices every 45 minutes.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
Their skin is separated from the meat so the fat can render beneath it, crisping the surface while basting the flesh from within.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basting
Verb
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Sanders, by now a perennial candidate, perfected his craggy, scolding, mitten-waving style.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
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But more recently, groups of citizens have grown tired of scolding and have begun reaching for the birch rod.—
Nick Bowlin,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Mitch West, meanwhile, was licking his wounds on Monday night, when snow still hadn’t touched down in his region of South Carolina.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
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England’s Test team are still licking their wounds after their humbling Down Under.—
Sam Dalling,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Christian author Philip Yancey is retiring from writing and lecturing after admitting to a long-running affair with a married woman.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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After teaching at Sacramento City College and lecturing at UC Davis, Fisher moved into public history, working with the California Office of Historic Preservation and the Architectural History Department at Caltrans.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Vance often has served as an attack dog for the administration, including lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an Oval Office visit.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
21 Jan. 2026
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Chappell took to social media to vent some of her ire, lashing out at the Biden administration.—
Alexandra Rockey Fleming,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Censures, a means of formally reprimanding a lawmaker without going so far as to expel them, have historically been rare; in the 200 years after Congress first convened, only 22 House members were censured.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
21 Nov. 2025
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When conversation veers into controversial territory, Gott suggests redirecting rather than reprimanding.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Archival footage illustrates, in pulse-pounding and nerve-rattling fashion, just how widespread calls for Rushdie’s murder were.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
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By Jason Mackey Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PALM BEACH GARDENS — The pop of a catcher’s mitt mixed with saws screeching and hammers pounding provides an appropriate soundtrack inside Paul Skenes’ offseason workout facility, a baseball-lover’s paradise and an encapsulation of his unique personality.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most Americans according to the latest polls disapprove of Trump and hope for a return to a president who governs with a respect for the norms presidents of both parties have observed when criticizing those who differed with them.—
Bob Kustra,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
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Kelly defended the protest during a news conference Tuesday, criticizing the church for its association with a pastor who works for ICE.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Doncic played a role in both clutch shots, first whipping a one-handed pass behind his back across the court to Gabe Vincent, who shoveled the ball with one hand to Hachimura.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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Would the place that had been home for months withstand the whipping winds?—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Basting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basting. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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