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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in talking-to
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of scolding
Brian Melley and Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
From her sharp scolding of a student nurse to her own tears of self-recrimination, Floria is a full-blooded and beautifully etched character and, yes, a heroine.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Miss Sammie flashed the scolding look Jean had known since childhood, though playfully now.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Verb
The meeting had been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding.
—Brian Melley and Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
From her sharp scolding of a student nurse to her own tears of self-recrimination, Floria is a full-blooded and beautifully etched character and, yes, a heroine.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
Rodgers stayed down for a moment before getting to his feet and giving a quick two-handed push to Jones’ chest while scolding him.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Miss Sammie flashed the scolding look Jean had known since childhood, though playfully now.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scolding
Verb
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When conversation veers into controversial territory, Gott suggests redirecting rather than reprimanding.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
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To this end, Cucinelli urged the independent players to tap into the online commerce without betraying their identity of exclusivity and desirability, subtly reprimanding those who embraced the gray market outright.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
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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
Verb
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Since exiting Dries Van Noten a few years ago, Scallon has been working as an independent consultant and mentor in fashion communications strategy, also lecturing occasionally and sharing his views about creative content on podcasts.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
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The same woman Don had been lecturing about beer.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the Tank for Tua era should have taught us a valuable lesson about team building.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
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Currently, Miller is on week two of his Spanish journey and still figuring out his routine while balancing work, language lessons and content creation.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead of criticizing yourself for not following through, get curious.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
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Trump has argued the White House needs a large entertaining space, criticizing the past practice of presidents hosting state dinners and other large events in tents on the South Lawn.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The festival also aims to raise awareness about climate change through a lecture series and activist events.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
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The Climate Café lecture series is a free public program designed to share cutting-edge science with the South Florida community.—
Diana Udel,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Houston leaders have downplayed the possibility of a serial killer following a rash of recent deaths involving the city's 2,500 miles of bayous, with Mayor John Whitmire blaming homelessness and substance abuse.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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Still, more broadly, Republicans are blaming Democrats for the SNAP cuts.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Hence, taking them away is an appropriate punishment.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
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But if the thought of freezing cold isolation and bunk pods sounds more like punishment than adventure, Mongolia’s Gobi already offers glimpses of the otherworldly in a far more comfortable setting.—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scolding. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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