TALKING-TO Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

talking-to 1 of 2

noun

Definition of talking-to

as in scolding

Related Words

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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

Noun

Staging a movie of broad scolding maximalism isn’t the same thing as staging a movie of debonair satirical insanity.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of scolding

Verb

Eco effort The resort is actively addressing concerns regarding single-use plastic bottles and is working to introduce water dispensing units in the near future.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Advertisement Some analysts, however, questioned how much relief the waiver can deliver without addressing underlying diesel supply constraints.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of addressing

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

Immigration detention centers are designed to hold individuals awaiting decisions in their civil immigration cases, not as punishment for a crime.

— Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
His punishments were focused on learning from the experience, according to documents filed in his subsequent lawsuit.

— Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Oct. 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

The stranger’s hollow cheeks, his dark eyes, whose lashes always appeared wet, the bony shoulders that protruded from the singlet Chee Meng had lent him—all of it frightened Shawn.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
The shade traveled from the lid down along the lower lash line, with plum-toned eyeliner adding extra definition and a bright highlight placed at the inner corners.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of lash

Browse Nearby Words

talking points

talking-to

talking (to)

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Style

“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of talking-to

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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