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

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 Panthers wasted little time addressing the left side of the offensive line, signing Rasheed Walker in March as insurance for Ekwonu.

— Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Talarico toured Green Space Nature Preschool and gardened alongside young children before addressing the media, describing childcare and early childhood education as not only an education issue but an economic issue.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2026

Definition of addressing

Noun

Volunteer to guest lecture, work with the career office, and show up at career expos.

— Rob Falzon, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
In one 2018 lecture for the American Association of Political Consultants, Taylor described political candidates as akin to readymades, referencing Duchamp’s famed invention, which includes Fountain (1917), a porcelain urinal–cum–sculpture.

— Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of lecture

Noun

What ultimately proved effective at stopping this was not necessarily the convergence of technology and lessons learned, but a proactive rather than reactive strategy towards stopping intrusions.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
The lesson of Surfside is not simply that buildings must be maintained.

— Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 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

On Thursday, the parliament passed a bill to amend the anti-paper leak law, enforcing stricter punishment for those found to be involved with examination leaks, such as a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine up to 50 lakh rupees.

— Priyanka Salve,Raksha Murali, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
Months after demoting six detectives and sergeants in a controversial investigation, the Prosper Police Department is reversing half of the punishments.

— Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 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

Most formulas offer the same benefits as the very best mascaras—increasing volume and density, lengthening and separating lashes, etc—and deliver results just as effectively.

— Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 3 Aug. 2026
Best mascara This mascara uses a brush with nearly 500 micro bristles to coat and lift every lash without clumping or smudging.

— Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 31 July 2026

Definition of lash

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 4 Aug. 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

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes