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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Continually basting the wings with the glaze is the secret to forming a shiny, sticky crust.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
Return chicken and mushrooms to pan and cook, basting with sauce with a large spoon, until warmed through, about 1 minute.
—Hana Asbrink, 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
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
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
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
Return chicken and mushrooms to pan and cook, basting with sauce with a large spoon, until warmed through, about 1 minute.
—Hana Asbrink, 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
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
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
-
Crucially, the film avoids the trap of scolding younger generations or romanticizing the past.—
Beandrea July,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Sanders, by now a perennial candidate, perfected his craggy, scolding, mitten-waving style.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Spit Heathcliff spends a lot of time straight-up licking Cathy’s face in this movie.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Even in the trailer, scenes of slapping dough, Robbie and Elordi kissing in the rain and Elordi licking a wall were telltale signs that this would be a heightened version of the actual romance depicted in the book.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Katie da Cunha Lewin is a writer based in London, currently lecturing in 20th and 21st-century literature at Coventry University.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Sometimes the messages got feisty, with Epstein lecturing Karp over a fee.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After being outplayed by the home side for nearly all of the first half, Leeds took only four minutes of the second period to take the lead, Lukas Nmecha lashing home brilliantly from the edge of the penalty area.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The carnivorous mammal's teeth-baring image suggests a wilderness pushed to the margins and lashing out.—
Felicia Feaster,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Harnessing the camp of countless Drag Race acting challenges that came before her, Jujubee films a close-up reaction to a group of rowdy passengers reprimanding her, escalating the moment until her face is full-on twitching before a physical confrontation.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
-
On the northern end of California’s Central Coast, the region’s rolling hills and sunny beaches give way to misty bays and cypress groves, pounding turquoise surf and steep, plunging cliffs.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
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The cast of the heart-pounding story also features Stephen Tobolowsky, Frances Bay, and Peter Friedman.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In multiple phone calls from jail, Nathan Gingles discussed the dependency court case, asking his friend in Texas to pass along information and criticizing Mary’s sister, who was fighting for custody against Schuler.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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Both companies have also gotten more vocal in public in recent weeks, with executives openly criticizing each other's businesses.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By whipping or rapidly spinning fresh citrus juice, bartenders introduce air into the liquid, creating a thicker texture without adding additional ingredients.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Scheffler began the final day eight shots behind and was 7 under through seven holes before the wind began whipping.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Basting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basting. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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