as in talking-to
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as in reprimanding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
he scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they had made in the kitchen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scolding
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025
Neither his pressure on the Ukrainian leader, who Trump lambasted in the Oval Office, nor his recent scolding of the Kremlin ruler appear to have pushed the two sides any closer to a peace deal.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
An exec was dismissed after scolding a contestant, while a judge later left.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Noun
The scolding came after Combs seemingly nodded at jurors during Bongolan’s testimony about the balcony incident.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025
Neither his pressure on the Ukrainian leader, who Trump lambasted in the Oval Office, nor his recent scolding of the Kremlin ruler appear to have pushed the two sides any closer to a peace deal.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Verb
Friday saw Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch being crowned Miss Universe 2025, nearly two weeks after a livestream went viral showing pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil scolding her for allegedly refusing to participate in a photo shoot meant for contestants to share on social media.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
An exec was dismissed after scolding a contestant, while a judge later left.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scolding
Noun
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This is a really good writer-talking-to-another-writer question.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
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Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Harnessing the camp of countless Drag Race acting challenges that came before her, Jujubee films a close-up reaction to a group of rowdy passengers reprimanding her, escalating the moment until her face is full-on twitching before a physical confrontation.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
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Censures, a means of formally reprimanding a lawmaker without going so far as to expel them, have historically been rare; in the 200 years after Congress first convened, only 22 House members were censured.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
21 Nov. 2025
Noun
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While the city does not track how often teachers use Hidden Voices, which is optional, in their classrooms, the guides have been downloaded more than 100,000 times, and lesson plans and posters 50,000 times, according to local education data.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
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Because that, folks, is where the lessons lie.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sometimes the messages got feisty, with Epstein lecturing Karp over a fee.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Before the world complicated things with espresso machines, oat milk debates, and influencers lecturing to you about grind size, wild coffee trees were clinging to the Ethiopian highlands.—
John Noakes,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But that move has always struck me as a little goofy in an introduction, like the teacher who delivers her lecture on punctuality to a bunch of empty seats.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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The lecture will cover how to use the flower in gardens and for decorations.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In multiple phone calls from jail, Nathan Gingles discussed the dependency court case, asking his friend in Texas to pass along information and criticizing Mary’s sister, who was fighting for custody against Schuler.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
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Both companies have also gotten more vocal in public in recent weeks, with executives openly criticizing each other's businesses.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Santa Clara, California — Mike Vrabel made his nnname in the NFL as a crunching outside linebacker, delivering punishment to opposing offenses and blowing up their plays on his way to winning multiple Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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He was sentenced to an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction intact but sparing him any punishment.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the familiar narrative — blaming teachers, curriculum or school culture — misses deeper structural realities behind the numbers.—
Jill Stegman,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Over time, this builds discernment and institutional memory, and ensures that people take responsibility for their calls, rather than blaming the models.—
Carolyn Dewar,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scolding. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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