talking-to 1 of 2

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
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
  • The meeting had been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding.
    Brian Melley and Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
  • From her sharp scolding of a student nurse to her own tears of self-recrimination, Floria is a full-blooded and beautifully etched character and, yes, a heroine.
    Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The lecture will feature tribal representatives Stan Rodriguez, Priscilla Ortiz and Andrew Pittman, along with Nan Renner, senior director of strategic partnerships at Birch Aquarium.
    La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • At these exhibitions, Colton would start with a brief lecture explaining the gas and its scientific properties, then invite volunteers from the audience to try it for themselves.
    Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • To use these in a physical binder or electric site, create tabs for project and customer information, lessons learned, and concerns.
    Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • If there’s one lesson that Elson most wants to impress upon her daughter?
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In other words, if the board finds the union does not represent the players, especially without substantively addressing the legal question of whether the players are employees within the meaning of the NLRA, the matter would likely end there.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Any partnership or sponsorship agreement must include specific provisions addressing TikTok unavailability.
    Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Donald Trump’s dressing-down of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House was a lightning strike to the transatlantic alliance, dispelling lingering illusions in Europe about whether their American cousin will stand with them to counter Russian aggression.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Victoria expects that Tim — her confident, successful, morally upright husband — will give this phony guru a good dressing-down.
    Noel Murray, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on China in February before doubling it to 20 percent in March as punishment for fentanyl trafficking.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But new Wall Street research details how the landmark regulatory punishment might actually be protecting the bank during the recent stock market downturn.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As Gwendolyn Ogura, senior lash artist at Hairy Little Things, explains, a lash lift is a semipermanent treatment that lifts and curls your natural lashes to give you the appearance of longer, fuller lashes.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Whether doing waterline eyeliner, defining your upper lashes, or blending broad strokes into eyeshadow-esque coverage, this liner is ready to play.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Elon Musk and some conservatives on Capitol Hill are not heeding an admonition this week from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and continue to wield political arguments while calling for impeachment of federal judges.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 20 Mar. 2025
  • On Sundays, the help’s day off, her mother handed her over to her father with an admonition: Do something with her.
    Barry Singer, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!