TALKING (TO) Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

talking-to 1 of 2

noun

Definition of talking-to

as in scolding

Related Words

Relevance

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

Noun

Patrick injects a light touch into his scolding of restaurant staff when a tablecloth isn’t crisply ironed or cutlery and glasses are improperly placed.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
In Pennsylvania, two teenage boys were given a scolding and probation after using some of these same tools to create and distribute CSAM of their classmates.

— Alex Hartman, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

Trump made the announcement on Tuesday while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, days after asking the public to vote on alternative names for AI.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
The treadmill relaunch, Peloton said, is also addressing the company's long-standing challenge getting consumers to buy high-cost equipment that takes up a lot of space.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of addressing

Noun

In the time since the encampment organizers folded up their tents, the fight has moved from the quad to the classroom, from a protest anyone could see to a comment in a lecture or a line in a syllabus.

— Jonathan Greenblatt, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
With each passing horse and occasional lecture to move farther off the trail, the novelty, and romance, wore off.

— Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of lecture

Noun

Zbikowski, who also played at Notre Dame and in the NFL, hopes Folorunsho will be limited to defense the rest of the way but thinks playing on the other side of the ball was a good lesson.

— Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Events include an 18-hole scramble, beginner’s lessons, trophies, prizes and more.

— John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 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

Different views on the topic Critics of the article’s comparison argue that Barrera’s case was not simply a punishment for supporting Palestinians.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Jolly has called for a new requirement that officers obtain a warrant from a judge before accessing Flock camera footage, while Donalds is pushing for harsher punishments to deter misuse.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

talking points

talking-to

talking (to)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of talking-to

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

epistemic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes