as in scolding
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
-
Neither his pressure on the Ukrainian leader, who Trump lambasted in the Oval Office, nor his recent scolding of the Kremlin ruler appear to have pushed the two sides any closer to a peace deal.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
-
Graphic photos aside, and with the Menendez brothers attending virtually, Friday’s court hearing already saw the DA at the end of a judicial scolding.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Full sessions from each day will be available on the Weather & Climate Livestream's channel archives while the event lasts, and shorter clips from individual lectures will be made available after June 1.—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
30 May 2025
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Free lectures The Learning is for Everyone, aka LIFE, group at MiraCosta College holds free lectures June 6.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2025
Noun
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These early lessons about strength and survival may have instilled in him a need to appear invulnerable at all times.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Apparently, the lesson was lost on Colorado politicians and bureaucrats who are determined to force people of faith to choose between exercising their religion and serving their clients in the Colorado marketplace.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Similar to linebacker, the Bears’ moves up front this offseason make addressing safety a possibility in the draft.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Toxic positivity often prevents teams from fully addressing difficult problems.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Nine goals, a 30-minute hat-trick, an unlikely comeback, a last-gasp winner, comedic errors and a dressing-down on the pitch at full-time, all played out in teeming rain in Lisbon, made this a night to remember.—
Tim Spiers,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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So, while O’Neil will be in constant dialogue with Mosquera about ensuring his actions do not cross a line and disadvantage his team, there are no plans for a dressing-down over Saturday nor moves to curb his fiery streak too much.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
20 Aug. 2024
Noun
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The least successful team members in each episode endures a final punishment.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
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Throughout, the novel chips away at its foundational questions: Does there exist a punishment equal to the atrocity of killing one’s child?—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Head to Toe Brands is a franchisor of beauty salons, including The Lash Lounge, a lash and brow business that has used Mindbody since 2018.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
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The actress kept her makeup look natural with bold lashes, and wore her blonde hair parted down the middle in loose waves.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Although there are few formal guidelines, a consensus has formed around consent when possible, de-identification when not, and adherence to the admonition that the patient’s welfare always comes first.—
Danielle Ofri,
New Yorker,
7 June 2025
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The admonition follows a similar warning from three U.S. senators — Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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