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
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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 is surprising since the FCC usually doesn’t comment on pending satellite applications.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
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Borlaug made a point of agreeing with Ehrlich in his Nobel lecture, saying the Green Revolution was a temporary reprieve and that population control was also essential in the ongoing battle against hunger.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Two Catholic institutions have distanced themselves from the lecture series, which continues through Wednesday.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As the United States ventures into war with Iran, the nation carries lessons learned from past conflicts, including Vietnam.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Drawing on lessons learned from the Royal Australian Navy's Ghost Shark program, the all-electric Dive-XL is fairly large as drone submarines go, with a length of 27 ft (11 m) and a beam of 7 ft (2 m).—
David Szondy
March 22,
New Atlas,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The institution also had multiple projects done under his leadership, including a complete renovation of the Main Gallery, the opening of the Wylie Gallery and addressing long-standing maintenance needs, amongst others.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
-
This will render research, innovation and societal advances as dim, undetectable versions of themselves, restricting the country’s ability to lead globally in addressing the most pressing issues of our times.—
Jane M. Saks,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
-
Fertitta wrote in the Texas Bar Blog that punishment can vary.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Critics and free speech advocates raised concerns that the punishment violated free speech protections.—
Milla Surjadi,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At the time of Lauersdorf’s public admonishment, Fort Worth firefighter Caleb Halvorson had gained widespread attention after Sedgwick declined to cover some aspects of his treatment.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
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Layoffs have disproportionately affected their staff and the bimonthly admonishment from the board about their work in recent months has led to a dark mood in the Serna Center.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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How to prep your lashes for mascara For starters?—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Self-adhesive, latex-free lashes are designed for limitless creativity -- apply effortlessly, anytime and anywhere for a stunning look that can be reused again and again with no glue needed.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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