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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in talking-to
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
-
When conversation veers into controversial territory, Gott suggests redirecting rather than reprimanding.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
The same woman Don had been lecturing about beer.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The new system combines lessons from these programs into a lighter, more flexible package suited for mobile formations.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Oct. 2025
-
In a time when the country feels almost irreparably broken along its partisan fissures, and political comedy has become a minefield for controversy, Wood is looking to bridge the gaps in his own way, and maybe leave behind a few lessons of his own for others to pick up.—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of criticizing yourself for not following through, get curious.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
The festival also aims to raise awareness about climate change through a lecture series and activist events.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
And Bina remains as stridently anti-Joanne as ever, banning her from the Roklovs’ weekly Shabbat dinner and blaming her when Noah is passed over for the promotion.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Hawley's bill came amid heated inter-party disagreements over long-term spending priorities, with each party blaming the other for the growing risk to essential services.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hence, taking them away is an appropriate punishment.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
-
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 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share