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
-
Following Putin’s scolding of his aides on Wednesday, the central bank chief said Thursday that Russia’s unemployment rate remained at a historic low of 2% as the war created a lack of available workers, forcing employers to compete for staff.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The scolding was met with more meows and barks.—
Clara McMichael,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On 28 August 1947, Gombrowicz gives a lecture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
In February 2024, professor Asaf Peer, an Israeli from Bar Ilan University, attempted to give a physics lecture at UNLV.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Children are welcome at the aforementioned main pool, and the hotel’s version of a kids club, called Seedlings, offers cooking classes, ukulele lessons, and outdoor activities that focus on exploring the natural world.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
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Indiana walks away with a huge win, and the WNBA walks away with another glaring lesson in who actually drives the bus.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Viola’s reaction spotlighted growing frustration among competitors who believe the ruling body is using procedural fixes to avoid addressing biological differences in girls' sports.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
The Displacement Film Fund was first initiated at UNHCR’s Global Refugee Forum, the world’s largest gathering dedicated to addressing challenges faced by refugees and their host communities, and was officially established last year.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
18 May 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
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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
-
Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
The bipartisan support for the measure comes at a time when federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who say there should be punishment when Congress fails at its most basic legislative duty.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
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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
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It’s made to lengthen, lift, and separate lashes without clumping, and comes in both soft black and rich brown.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Watching the result unfold, Rahm paused for a moment before taking an aggressive and angry lash at the ground with his club.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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