scolding

noun

scold·​ing ˈskōl-diŋ How to pronounce scolding (audio)
Synonyms of scoldingnext
1
: the action of one who scolds
2
: a harsh reproof
gave the child a sharp scolding for running into the road

Examples of scolding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The scolding was met with more meows and barks. — Clara McMichael, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026 Flies did not follow me, but someone’s gaze did, leading to a lengthy scolding from my mother. — Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025 The New York City mayoral candidate laughed at Goldberg's playful scolding. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025 The scolding is surprising since the FCC usually doesn’t comment on pending satellite applications. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scolding

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scolding was in 1547

Rhymes for scolding

See All Rhymes for scolding

Browse Nearby Words

scolder
scolding
scolding locks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scolding. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on scolding

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scolding

Nglish: Translation of scolding for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All