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 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
-
Copies of his book will be available to buy in the lobby before the lecture, and a book signing will follow the event.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The lecture gives us a bit of background on Greg’s life.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Generosity transforms the lessons of Ramadan into something visible, showing how faith can be expressed through action.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The lesson of 1994 is not simply that interest rate bets can go wrong.—
Jodi Balma,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During Monday’s event, the company presented a $50,000 donation and pledging 500 volunteer hours to Nourish Up, formerly Fishes & Loaves, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity for Charlotte families.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The college goes far beyond helping with enrollment and GI Bill paperwork, taking a holistic approach to student veteran support by addressing academic, financial, health and social needs for veterans as well as their family members and dependents.—
Larry D. Urish,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
-
Senegal 's parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Iranian authorities enforce laws like compulsory dress codes through Draconian forms of punishment — harassment, arrests, imprisonment, and violence.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Appearing Sunday on Fox News, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent turned a debate over tariff revenue into yet another admonishment, only this time, the target of his ire had recently turned out championing the role of tariffs in improving the country’s fiscal outlook.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her makeup was warm and glowy, featuring a copper lid, fluttery lashes, coral cheeks, and a soft pink lip.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Paired with a glossy blurred lip, statement lashes, and soft finger waves in her signature pixie cut (courtesy of Nikki Nelms using OGX products), this look is the perfect centerpiece for our siren beauty mood boards.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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