talking-to 1 of 2

noun

Definition of talking-tonext
as in scolding

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Dissimilar Words

talking (to)

2 of 2

verb

present participle of talk (to)
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of talking-to
Noun
This is a really good writer-talking-to-another-writer question. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026 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
  1. scolding
  2. addressing
  3. lecture
  4. lesson
  5. dressing-down
  6. punishment
  7. admonishment
  8. lash
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
Definition of scolding
Verb
  • The scrambles to paper over the shortfalls essentially kick the fiscal can down the road without addressing the underlying causes.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Medicare supplemental insurance, also known as Medigap, is one option for addressing some of those expenses.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of addressing
Noun
  • Make the idea vivid, stay curious, and let the conversation expand without becoming a lecture.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
  • One serious lecture will not prepare a child for every app, friend or group chat.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of lecture
Noun
  • As Amziah demonstrates during this lesson, the queen is the center of the universe, and without her, the colony would collapse.
    — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Thankfully, the lessons from that hasty dash towards the fringes of our towns and cities in the 1990s and early 2000s seem to have been learned.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of lesson
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
Definition of dressing-down
Noun
  • Mangione should receive punishment to the full extent of the law.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Judges are free to ignore sentencing guidelines, which are intended to reduce disparities in punishments levied for the same crimes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of punishment
Noun
  • That video shows three boys scrubbing the floor and walls of a room in the school with rags as Morrison shouts commands and admonishments.
    — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 24 July 2026
  • Debbie Wasserman Schultz disregards criticism Longtime Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is staying in the race to represent a historically Black Broward County congressional district — even after a public admonishment from state party Chair Nikki Fried.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
Definition of admonishment
Noun
  • Aside from my blush never looking better, her recent collab with Velour lashes has made the application of falsies so easy (even for my shaky hands).
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The formula is made with jojoba waxes to keep fragile lashes conditioned and soft.
    — Micaela English, Glamour, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of lash

Browse Nearby Words

talking points
talking-to
talking (to)
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Cite this Entry

“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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