as in scolding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 Jan. 2025
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
Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 Jan. 2025
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
-
Graphic photos aside, and with the Menendez brothers attending virtually, Friday’s court hearing already saw the DA at the end of a judicial scolding.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The meeting had been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding.—
Brian Melley and Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
At one point during five days of questioning, Miller received a lecture from Richard T. Bretzing, who ran the FBI’s L.A. office and was a bishop in the Mormon Church.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
-
With sample disasters like this one in mind, Fielder heads to the Aviation Technology Complex for a lecture that John Goglia is giving to students about his experience at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The older activists provided a bit of tactical advice about dealing with a more powerful opponent—a lesson that Sheinbaum seems to have retained.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The backstage, rather soundstage, melodrama was not so much an exposé of the town under the real estate sign but a review session of lessons already learned.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Similar to linebacker, the Bears’ moves up front this offseason make addressing safety a possibility in the draft.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Identifying and addressing these core issues sustains morale while driving real progress.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Nine goals, a 30-minute hat-trick, an unlikely comeback, a last-gasp winner, comedic errors and a dressing-down on the pitch at full-time, all played out in teeming rain in Lisbon, made this a night to remember.—
Tim Spiers,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
-
So, while O’Neil will be in constant dialogue with Mosquera about ensuring his actions do not cross a line and disadvantage his team, there are no plans for a dressing-down over Saturday nor moves to curb his fiery streak too much.—
Steve Madeley,
The Athletic,
20 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
The solution lies in addressing our housing shortage, not punishment.—
David Bonaccorsi,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
-
In cases of employment, housing, and public accommodation, by simply using one’s freedom of speech to utter a biologically factual pronoun, a person could find him or herself in the crosshairs of a Colorado Civil Rights Division investigation and punishment or possibly a lawsuit.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Sometimes the best thing to do to your lashes is nothing at all.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The mascara is designed with a flexible brush that bends to extend your lashes, and it’s formulated with bamboo extract and other ingredients that volumize and hydrate your lashes.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Thucydides offers not a theory of international politics, but a warning — an admonition to leaders who, gripped by their own narratives, drive their nations over a cliff.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
15 Apr. 2025
-
However, this admonition is just as relevant in the world of radio communications.—
Paul Lipman,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share