as in scolding
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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
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Recent Examples of talking-to
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
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
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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.
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The scolding was met with more meows and barks.
Verb
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Hyundai is addressing the issue by allowing drivers to bring their Tucsons into authorized dealers for free instrument panel cluster software updates.
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The historic housing bill, which took effect Wednesday, was written in hopes of addressing California’s housing crisis.
Noun
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In January 2025, a federal judge ruled that portion of the ordinance overburdens free speech rights by prohibiting anyone from providing any lecture in any San Diego public park or beach.
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And now today, Indiana head coach Stephanie White opens up her presser with a lecture on how America is racist and homophobic.
Noun
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According to historian, author and lecturer Roger Smith, Florida's absence from most Revolutionary War lessons stems from one key fact.
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Ida Fisher Junior High in Miami Beach held a mock Ford-Carter presidential election with a ballot box in its recess courtyard to teach its students civics lessons.
Noun
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And while this dressing-down of beloved works might seem like another bummer in a world of doomscrolling, @heartthrobanderson is anything but.
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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.
Noun
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Wildfires have also scorched thousands of acres in Arizona, which led Phoenix to ban all fireworks on city property including parks and within 1 mile of nature preserves, with punishments including $2,500 fines.
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The parliament in England created laws against Quakers, forbidding them to worship freely, charging them with punishments for refusing to take oaths or refusing to remove their hats.
Noun
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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.
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In a somewhat direct public admonishment of SpaceX, Sean Duffy, who briefly served as NASA’s acting administrator last year, announced that the space agency would use whichever lander was ready first to complete the landing mission, which is currently slated for as soon as 2028.
Noun
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Inside the butterfly, Sinot applied a shimmery blend of icy white and mauve shadows anchored by a thick wing of black eyeliner and lush false lashes.
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The Manta’s eye pads keep pressure off my eyeballs and lashes, and this same design lets my skin breathe a lot better while still creating true darkness.
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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