talking-to 1 of 2

noun

Definition of talking-tonext
as in scolding

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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
  1. scolding
  2. addressing
  3. lecture
  4. lesson
  5. dressing-down
  6. punishment
  7. admonishment
  8. lash
Noun
  • In Pennsylvania, two teenage boys were given a scolding and probation after using some of these same tools to create and distribute CSAM of their classmates.
    — Alex Hartman, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
  • 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.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2026
Definition of scolding
Verb
  • Also, supportive connections between Mercury and Mars make this a great time for addressing personal matters with a clear head and common sense.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The work required clarifying roles and responsibilities, addressing internal conflict, establishing accountability and consistently tracking commitments.
    — Jason Bork, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of addressing
Noun
  • Flipping the lecture cycle Classically, engineering courses default to hours of lectures where students are expected to take notes, with problem sets and exams bolted on.
    — Jason Corso, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
  • As YouTube faces heightened scrutiny in Brussels, the lecture also had some lobbying purposes.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lecture
Noun
  • Cyrus then offered a little history lesson of his own, recalling a time when he was known simply by his surname before his 1992 breakthrough hit.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • History’s lesson is rarely that leaders failed to see the technology coming.
    — Pankaj Prasoon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of lesson
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
  • Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.
    — Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Hisbah members also face widespread allegations of rights abuses in their enforcement operations, including subjecting offenders to dehumanizing punishments such as public beatings or shaming.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 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
  • Lips and cheeks have been hogging all the attention recently, while lids and lashes have been going nearly naked.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The formula features flexible polymers for density and argan oil for lash conditioning.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of lash

Browse Nearby Words

talking points
talking-to
talking (to)
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Cite this Entry

“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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