as in scolding
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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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
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After the meeting, Mr. Schumer pulled him aside for a rare scolding.—
Annie Karni,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
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Though beset by soul-breaking external pressures — including frequent scoldings from his boss, Gloria (Michael Hyatt), for the hospital’s low patient-satisfaction scores — Robby is a bottomless vessel for the pain, anger, fear, frustration, and heartbreak of those around him.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That tracks with a 2017 video lecture Baldoni gave as part of a Baha’i Teachings series titled What if Birth and Death Are Actually the Same?—
Peter Kiefer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Feb. 2025
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The Americans were prepared for a lecture from Russia’s longtime foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, who is well known for his tedious harangues.—
Michael Crowley,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While Ferrari conducts all of its meetings in English, Hamilton started taking Italian lessons last year to interact better with his mechanics and engineers, like chit-chatting about day-to-day life.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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Alicia Keys Sheryl Lee Ralph See latest videos, charts and news That’s just one of the Black history lessons comprising the revelatory PBS documentary American Masters – The Disappearance of Miss Scott, which premieres Feb. 21 (9 p.m. ET, check local listings).—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Any partnership or sponsorship agreement must include specific provisions addressing TikTok unavailability.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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Unfortunately, his goals of expanding and strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA), enhancing coverage and affordability, addressing rural and mental health, and lowering prescription drug costs proved largely aspirational.—
Steve Brozak,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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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 State Supreme Court ruled last year that death by firing squad was a legal form of punishment even though it is largely viewed as an archaic form of justice that, according to polls, many Americans believe to be inhumane.—
Eduardo Medina,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
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What’s more, school punishment echoes—and exacerbates—historic racial injustice.—
Aaron Kupchik,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For her turn as a runway model, Pugh wore a set of spiky black false lashes that extended way past the outer corners of her eyes and allll the way up to the tippy-top of her brow.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
21 Feb. 2025
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Bassett’s makeup included such details as a smokey eye with long lashes, a glowing complexion and a glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The meltdown in artificial intelligence stock values this week punctuates Petek’s admonition.—
Dan Walters,
The Mercury News,
30 Jan. 2025
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Forgotten now is Carter’s admonition that natural gas should be considered a premium fuel because of its scarcity and conserved for ‘noble’ uses like petrochemicals.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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