SCOLDING Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

scolding 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scolding

as in talking-to

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Dissimilar Words

scolding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scold

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of 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

The princess hilariously put her little brother in his place by scolding him. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 June 2026 On March 12, the judge sought to change the journalists’ seating arrangement in court after scolding them for asking İmamoğlu questions during a hearing. — Kaya Genç, The Dial, 9 June 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
Roberts pulled the reliever in, gave him what seemed like a fatherly talking-to, and – after Ramirez got out of the inning with the very next pitch – noted that sometimes the best course is not to yell and scream at a player.

— Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 30 May 2024

Definition of talking-to

Verb

Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Earlier this week, Scott Agness claimed his press credentials were revoked by the team after his reporting led to the WNBA reprimanding the Fever for not being transparent about Clark’s health status during a game on May 20.

— Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

Definition of reprimanding

Noun

The goal is to reduce digital interruptions, improve students’ engagement with classroom lessons, increase face-to-face interactions and reduce conflicts that play out on social media during school hours.

— Elizabeth Dowdell, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Those battlefield lessons are now reshaping procurement decisions across Europe.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of lesson

Verb

He was internationally known as an expert on the work of William Faulkner, teaching and lecturing around the world on the Nobel Prize winner.

— Rebecca McCarthy, AJC.com, 13 July 2026
The film begins with a montage of young Roma women, each shot as though for a studio portrait, impassively absorbing an offscreen voice lecturing them about family planning.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 11 July 2026

Definition of lecturing

Noun

Classical fans who missed festival co-artistic director Susan Waterfall’s lecture and documentary on the master can stream the film for free (though donations are encouraged).

— Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
In 2009, when D’Souza was a student at Oxford, the venture capitalist Peter Thiel gave a guest lecture.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Definition of lecture

Verb

Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had again been aggressively criticizing NATO for its lack of support over Iran and for failing to spend anywhere near enough money on its own security.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 10 July 2026
That didn't stop the public from criticizing the weekend congestion.

— Noe Padilla, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of criticizing

Noun

Wildfires have also scorched thousands of acres in Arizona, which led Phoenix to ban all fireworks on city property including parks and within 1 mile of nature preserves, with punishments including $2,500 fines.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
The parliament in England created laws against Quakers, forbidding them to worship freely, charging them with punishments for refusing to take oaths or refusing to remove their hats.

— Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of punishment

Verb

The way the end of this match played out has commentators and social media going all out in blaming Thomas Tuchel for England’s loss.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Masterson filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2010, blaming his financial predicament on a former employee’s errors.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026

Definition of blaming

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“Scolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scolding. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of scolding

noun

verb

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