lecturing

verb

present participle of lecture
1
as in scolding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings the frustrated manager lectured the waitstaff about its poor level of service

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in speaking
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject a physician who has lectured before countless audiences on the importance of diet and exercise in avoiding heart disease

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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 lecturing Respondents in England and Australia were more likely to associate teaching with institutional, credentialed and paid professional roles, such as nursing, lecturing and social work. — Gustavo E. Fischman, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 For decades, Zinn traveled the country lecturing to packed auditoriums. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026 The bald guy lecturing me on how to get the money looked real enough, but the question of his true being kept rattling around my increasingly paranoid mind. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026 But Cruise wouldn’t allude to any of his past missteps — like his couch jumping or his lecturing women about postpartum depression. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2026 Especially for him in the same interview to be lecturing my party on democracy and norms. — NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026 Approaching hesitant individuals Health experts said that addressing vaccine-hesitant people starts with listening rather than lecturing. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 Today, young people are increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of politicians lecturing them about the virtues of voting while in practice facilitating disengagement. — David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026 Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon criticized Spain for lecturing Israel on security while struggling to control its own border. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lecturing
  1. scolding
  2. speaking
  3. reprimanding
  4. talking
  5. criticizing
Verb
  • From behind a tree, Neil and Florence observed Brenda scolding little Neil.
    — S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • By the time his daughter shows up, flanked by her mom and upright dentist stepdad, Lee’s moved on from scolding the room to thanking his mother for believing him.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of scolding
Verb
  • Depending on which Republican is speaking, Americans are getting a different perspective on how bad things are with the economy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • As grounds for exoneration go, this is not, strictly speaking, bulletproof evidence of anything.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of speaking
Verb
  • Instead of reprimanding his pet, Linnetz seems to recognize the moment as a potentially good shot.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The audience awkwardly chuckles, and Scovel, eyes still closed, begins reprimanding them.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of reprimanding
Verb
  • About half of the inmates are never identified by name onscreen and aren’t featured in talking-head interviews.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Moderna and Merck are talking with regulatory authorities about next steps for seeking approval of the vaccine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of talking
Verb
  • Pentecostal parents Ruth and Marius were accused of domestic violence, with worldwide protests criticizing what dissenters called harsh and hasty steps taken by Norwegian social workers without proper evidence.
    — Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Cofer is criticizing Guerra’s absence from the vote and is asking him to publicly state his position on the partnership.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticizing

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lectures
lecturing
led
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Cite this Entry

“Lecturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lecturing. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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