as in scolding
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as in speaking (to or with)
to communicate with by means of spoken words
I had never talked to a real live cowboy before
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of talking-to
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talking-to
Noun
-
The scolding came after Heuermann’s lawyer, Michael Brown, introduced a new stack of motions further challenging evidence in the infamous murder case on Monday evening, the Post reported.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Avoiding public scolding, vague directions, or emotional reactions can make discipline more effective and respectful.—
Leslie Garisto Pfaff,
Parents,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Saturday afternoon inside the Intuit Dome often felt more like a lecture that needed to end.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
However, naming the Holocaust as a genocide in 2026, the organizers of the lecture about our book feared, would evoke contemporary associations—above all, with the genocide in Gaza.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But buried not too deeply beneath the surface of her silly stories are the very hard lessons learned.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
While the world faces many challenges, the history of peace processes offers important lessons for navigating present-day conflict.—
David Dumke,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Guthrie family's 'hour of desperation' The Guthrie family has posted several videos on social media over the past two weeks, addressing both Savannah Guthrie's followers and a person who may have abducted Nancy Guthrie.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
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Midway through her second edition at the helm of the Berlinale, the combative festival director wastes no time addressing the political storm that flared on opening day and quickly threatened to eclipse the films themselves.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This change comes after Grok received a dressing-down from users and international officials for complying with requests to digitally undress women and underage girls or create sexualized deep fakes of them without their consent.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
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That spectacle was followed by a very public dressing-down of Zelensky by Trump and Vance in the Oval Office.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, said Clark deserved a tougher punishment, including being barred from practicing law in the state.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Prosecutors in the case recommended the death penalty as punishment for Yoon, given the severity of his crimes.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Discipline can range from an admonishment to suspension of license to disbarment.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
-
In an attempt to still force a vote on the censure, Zepeda proposed amending the mayor’s item to include a formal council admonishment.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her sleeves, her bob, and her lashes are conveyed in crisp black.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
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And, the wand is just as genius as the formula, with a super-slim, flexible design that hugs every single lash from corner to corner.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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