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
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as in scolding
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of talking-to
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
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
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The New York City mayoral candidate laughed at Goldberg's playful scolding.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
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The scolding came after Combs seemingly nodded at jurors during Bongolan’s testimony about the balcony incident.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Goodall’s speaking tours brought her to Miami on many occasions, including an April 2023 lecture at Florida International University’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center and, a decade earlier, to the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center (now Watsco Center) in April 2013.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
-
This essay was adapted from the Christ Church, Oxford 500th anniversary lecture.—
Richard Stengel,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But those plans can be quite narrow and ineffective for addressing flood damage.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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The document aims to provide clarity and accuracy in reporting, addressing contemporary issues and nuanced terminology with precision and sensitivity.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Went with them ahead of the playoffs and clearly haven’t learned my lesson.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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While the lessons would be done at a local church, the content of those lessons is set by LifeWise.—
Krista Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Staying Grounded Under Fire: How to Lead with Emotional Resilience One client faced a public dressing-down from his boss during a project meeting.—
Naz Beheshti,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Nothing, perhaps, has grated more than last month’s Oval Office dressing-down of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Forced to become a bloodsucker as part of Bill's punishment for vanquishing another, Deborah Ann Woll's Jessica struggles with her new, flesh-craving lifestyle.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
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While Combs' defense team is seeking a 14-month sentence, prosecutors are hoping for a harsher punishment, lobbying the judge to hand down 11 years.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That admonishment could easily dissuade American women from treating a symptom that could endanger their child.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
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Officials who accept anything that is not somehow related to city business are breaking the law and face consequences ranging from an admonishment to criminal prosecution.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Designed with a 2-in-1 bond and seal system, this lash glue provides a staggering 150 hours of wear.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
25 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, mascara seemed to be all that was used to accentuate her top lash line.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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