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
-
Ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary this year, her lecture will touch on the themes and significance of the People’s Bicentennial Quilt.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The latest bots have massive context windows, meaning that students can feed in mountains of course content such as syllabi, lecture slides, and practice exams.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The show teaches kids important lessons about friendship, imagination, family, and the joy of being yourself.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The lesson is that scare stories of food prices skyrocketing in the next few weeks due to war in the Persian Gulf are overblown.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This historical illiteracy – as well as a fundamental lack of understanding about what constitutes anti-Semitism – leaves institutions without clear standards for addressing the centuries-old hatred.—
Kenneth L. Marcus,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The crowd celebrating Magyar's victory was full of young people, many first-time voters, who said Magyar earned their support by crisscrossing the country and addressing a wide range of domestic problems.—
Compiled byDemocrat-Gazette stafffrom wire reports,
Arkansas Online,
13 Apr. 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
-
The jury will decide Horner’s punishment.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Ryobi is great for occasional-use, light-duty stuff that needs to work but doesn’t have to withstand eight-hour daily punishment on a job site.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The Uncut Gems star kept the '60s theme going with her glam, wearing her dark tresses in a voluminous bouffant and a dramatic cut-crease eyeshadow look featuring wispy lashes.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Stylist Erin Walsh opted for a strapless Valentino gown in the film’s signature red, white, and black color scheme, and makeup artist Gucci Westman kept the glam light (no heavy dark lower lash line in sight).—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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