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 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
-
Avoiding public scolding, vague directions, or emotional reactions can make discipline more effective and respectful.—
Leslie Garisto Pfaff,
Parents,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Each course consists of a video lecture and ends with a quiz that must be passed to move on to the next unit.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
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On opening weekend, guests can enjoy the opening ceremony, historic lecture, dinner, the Jockey Club opening and Kentucky Derby celebration, dancing with live music and other events.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Provost has pledged to use those lessons learned, with labor unions awaiting details as to whether this will have implications for jobs in France.—
Albertina Torsoli,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The resort is also home to a 27-hole championship golf course, an expansive wellness spa, and a seasonal dude ranch pop-up program with horseback riding and archery lessons.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Thursday and Friday will be spent addressing bills that have been approved by both chambers but with differences in the language, Perez said.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
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Providing energy at the lowest possible cost and supporting financial assistance programs are most frequently cited as top priorities, while addressing climate goals ranks last.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 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
-
But legal punishments must align with human rights laws.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Not just taxation without representation, but punishment without due process.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 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
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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
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In clinical practice, doctors report Demodex blepharitis most frequently in patients who wear a lot of eye makeup and/or false lashes and who report poor eyelid hygiene, such as not thoroughly removing eye makeup or not washing their pillowcases frequently.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
5 Mar. 2026
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Hard to say, because this curler not only bends your lashes but also bends the thermodynamic arrow of time.—
Fiona Landers,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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