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
Relevance
as in scolding
Related Words
Dissimilar 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
Verb
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 scolding came after Combs seemingly nodded at jurors during Bongolan’s testimony about the balcony incident.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
-
Neither his pressure on the Ukrainian leader, who Trump lambasted in the Oval Office, nor his recent scolding of the Kremlin ruler appear to have pushed the two sides any closer to a peace deal.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Instead of giving a long lecture on the subject, the teacher shares a 5 minute video highlighting the main events of the war.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
10 Sep. 2025
-
However, the first module typically is a single video lecture introducing the class.—
Jill Duffy,
PC Magazine,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The next stage are apps that offer a 360º approach, addressing the wellbeing of the caregiver and those in their care 24/7.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Crews are also engaged in mopping up, addressing hot spots, and back-hauling equipment on the eastern, southern, and western sides of the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Newsweek's Health Care Editor Alexis Kayser led many of the panel discussions and was joined by Newsweek's Global Head of Research Duncan Ross on stage to share the key takeaways about the key lessons that audience members can implement in their own workplaces.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
For employers everywhere, the lesson is that embedding pathways to opportunity in your culture is a strong shield against anything over the horizon.—
Ryan Stowers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Staying Grounded Under Fire: How to Lead with Emotional Resilience One client faced a public dressing-down from his boss during a project meeting.—
Naz Beheshti,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Nothing, perhaps, has grated more than last month’s Oval Office dressing-down of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
By embedding halfway houses into the federal transition process, Bush underscored his belief that effective reentry programs could reduce recidivism and strengthen families, turning correctional policy toward rehabilitation as much as punishment.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
On Friday, Major League Baseball downgraded Chapman’s punishment to an undisclosed find, which was also part of the original punishment.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
My grandmother’s admonishment is a lightning bolt, electrifying my mother’s skin.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The Longs lived by a perplexing tangle of unspoken rules anchored by the admonishment to never invite the neighbors over.—
Kristen Kidd,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Avoid starting at the top of lashes.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The difference there is that Keanu Reeves is unflappable, while Odenkirk has a sputtering quality to him that adds a comedic layer to his bloody lash-outs.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share