1
as in scolding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
a tyrannical father who used the dinner hour to baste his children for their many perceived shortcomings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in licking
to strike repeatedly
basted the thief with a stick while he cried out for help
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Recent Examples of basting
Cook, covered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest portion of chicken breast registers 160°F and thighs and legs register 180°F, 25 to 30 minutes, basting every 5 minutes.
—
Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, basting once or twice, until caramelized and shiny.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
This set includes a silicone-tipped brush with an attached lid that also doubles as a heat shield when basting.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Cook the salmon at 400°F for 8–12 minutes, basting halfway through, until the fish flakes easily when the top of the salmon is gently pressed with a fork.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Brush with the yakitori sauce and continue grilling, turning and basting with the sauce every 30 seconds, until the chicken is glazed and cooked through, about 2 minutes more.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, she's interrupted by Wahlberg, 56, who calls her out for basting without her.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Continue roasting another 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting with the pan juices every 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, basting once or twice, until caramelized and shiny.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
This set includes a silicone-tipped brush with an attached lid that also doubles as a heat shield when basting.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Cook the salmon at 400°F for 8–12 minutes, basting halfway through, until the fish flakes easily when the top of the salmon is gently pressed with a fork.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Brush with the yakitori sauce and continue grilling, turning and basting with the sauce every 30 seconds, until the chicken is glazed and cooked through, about 2 minutes more.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, she's interrupted by Wahlberg, 56, who calls her out for basting without her.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Continue roasting another 2 to 2 1/2 hours, basting with the pan juices every 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basting
Verb
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First, as the Florida ACLU’s Howard Simon points out, Uthmeier is not scolding another branch of government.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then they got knocked to the ice, stomped on and left licking their feathers after the first two periods of their Stanley Cup playoff game with the Vegas Golden Knights.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
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But host Kristen Kish is licking her lips at the prospect of taking the show even further afield in the future.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The cruel cartoon of a constantly shrewish, venal, and disloyal Mary began cementing itself in the public mind when William Herndon, Lincoln’s Springfield law partner, started lecturing about his reminiscences within months of the President’s murder.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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At Yale, where Garber began her career, Jacques Derrida was a frequent visitor, and Paul de Man might be found down the corridor solemnly lecturing on Nietzsche.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The competition’s main host, the United States, is lashing out at the world, hunting conflict across three continents.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
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The whole episode, Kyle is a pendulum swinging between anger and sadness, between lashing out and injuring Amanda, and looking to be the victim.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Verb
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If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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Hart was reprimanding Ross for doing what is the most offensive thing a comedian can do — suck up to the most important person in the room — and enforcing an old ethic in comedy, which is not apologizing for your jokes.—
Robert Lynch,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Long before Mark Wahlberg was pounding on the front door of a low-slung contemporary cabin, its biggest draw was always the dramatic setting.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
19 May 2026
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This story which keeps you engaged at every turn is superbly crafted by Gray who knows how to twist a crime genre tale into something fresh and pulse pounding.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Just months into Powell’s chairmanship in 2018, Trump started criticizing him and the central bank for not lowering rates.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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Schumer wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin earlier this month warning that new AI systems could dramatically accelerate cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, while criticizing the agency for its response thus far.—
Lauren Morganbesser,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Now imagine seeing like half a dozen road-going glizzies whipping around one of the most iconic tracks in all of motorsports.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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It was delivered by the 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama, whose torso uncorked in a fit of frustration that sent his right elbow whipping toward Reid’s windpipe like a torpedo bat flying through the strike zone.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Basting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basting. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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