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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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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
Noun
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
Verb
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
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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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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In his second act, writing has become a way to continue to be relevant and share his experiences and life lessons.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
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That’s a great lesson for coaches.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
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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Chapter Five is actually just a lecture that somebody gives—somebody who turns out to be the protagonist, Tunde.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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But at a lecture in Tel Aviv, Israel, about 25 years ago, the audience’s response took Lack by surprise.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Though George Washington and the press started off amicably, their relationship grew more adversarial once journalists began criticizing the nation’s first president.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
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Mamdani — who came under fire during the race for his past comments criticizing the New York Police Department — on Wednesday also reiterated his intention to keep the city’s current police commissioner, Jessica Tisch.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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As for what the punishment was for Rhoades, the school would not comment any further regarding the incident.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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The passage of Proposition 36, a tougher-on-crime law that placed stricter punishments on repeat drug and theft offenders, has given both agencies more opportunities to try to help those in custody suffering from drug addiction.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Golfers can stop blaming bad luck for those maddening near-misses.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Trump is just straight-up doling out untruths – and blaming Biden.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scolding. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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