TALKING (TO) Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

talking-to 1 of 2

noun

Definition of talking-to

as in scolding

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Dissimilar Words

talking (to)

2 of 2

verb

present participle of talk (to)

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

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 talking-to

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for talking-to

Noun

Following Putin’s scolding of his aides on Wednesday, the central bank chief said Thursday that Russia’s unemployment rate remained at a historic low of 2% as the war created a lack of available workers, forcing employers to compete for staff.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2026
The scolding was met with more meows and barks.

— Clara McMichael, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

However, the area does have serious needs for infrastructure improvement, such as addressing flooding that has long affected neighborhoods like Argentine during rainy times of year.

— Sofi Zeman July 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
The local Socialist Party vowed to take this issue on, running a slate of candidates in 1910 on the promise of addressing issues like no-bid contracts.

— Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 14 July 2026

Definition of addressing

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

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

Noun

And while this dressing-down of beloved works might seem like another bummer in a world of doomscrolling, @heartthrobanderson is anything but.

— Jessica Lipsky, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
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

Definition of dressing-down

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

Noun

Debbie Wasserman Schultz disregards criticism Longtime Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is staying in the race to represent a historically Black Broward County congressional district — even after a public admonishment from state party Chair Nikki Fried.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
In a somewhat direct public admonishment of SpaceX, Sean Duffy, who briefly served as NASA’s acting administrator last year, announced that the space agency would use whichever lander was ready first to complete the landing mission, which is currently slated for as soon as 2028.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 22 May 2026

Definition of admonishment

Noun

Casillas then swept a champagne color under her brows and a shimmery, pearlescent hue underneath her lower lashline, and paired the blue eye shadow with fluttery lashes and majorly dewy pink blush.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 July 2026
The Manta’s eye pads keep pressure off my eyeballs and lashes, and this same design lets my skin breathe a lot better while still creating true darkness.

— Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026

Definition of lash

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talking points

talking-to

talking (to)

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Style

“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of talking-to

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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