as in talking-to
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as in reprimanding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
he scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they had made in the kitchen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scolding
Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Parents, 20 Dec. 2025
Flies did not follow me, but someone’s gaze did, leading to a lengthy scolding from my mother.
—Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2026
Crucially, the film avoids the trap of scolding younger generations or romanticizing the past.
—Beandrea July, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Noun
Avoiding public scolding, vague directions, or emotional reactions can make discipline more effective and respectful.
—Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Parents, 20 Dec. 2025
Flies did not follow me, but someone’s gaze did, leading to a lengthy scolding from my mother.
—Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
Verb
But Saxon said Ye kept him constantly on edge, demanding photo updates of construction work, scolding him for wearing blue instead of the all-black worker uniform Ye preferred, and suddenly adding 24/7 security duties to his workload.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2026
Crucially, the film avoids the trap of scolding younger generations or romanticizing the past.
—Beandrea July, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scolding
Noun
-
This is a really good writer-talking-to-another-writer question.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
Noun
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Children are welcome at the aforementioned main pool, and the hotel’s version of a kids club, called Seedlings, offers cooking classes, ukulele lessons, and outdoor activities that focus on exploring the natural world.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
-
Indiana walks away with a huge win, and the WNBA walks away with another glaring lesson in who actually drives the bus.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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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.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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At Yale, where Garber began her career, Jacques Derrida was a frequent visitor, and Paul de Man might be found down the corridor solemnly lecturing on Nietzsche.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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However, he was stunned to learn how supportive his family was – there was no lecture, no argument.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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On 28 August 1947, Gombrowicz gives a lecture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Just months into Powell’s chairmanship in 2018, Trump started criticizing him and the central bank for not lowering rates.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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Schumer wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin earlier this month warning that new AI systems could dramatically accelerate cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, while criticizing the agency for its response thus far.—
Lauren Morganbesser,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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The bipartisan support for the measure comes at a time when federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who say there should be punishment when Congress fails at its most basic legislative duty.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Medicare fraud has become a hot political topic, with Republicans and Democrats each blaming the other party for the problem.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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The Newsom administration estimates that thousands of victims of the Los Angeles wildfires cannot afford to rebuild, blaming a lack of access to affordable loans and a gap between insurance payouts and the cost to build again.—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scolding. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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