TALKING (TO) Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

talking-to 1 of 2

noun

Definition of talking-to

as in scolding

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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

This is a really good writer-talking-to-another-writer question. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026 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

Nothing says ordinary pneumonia quite like a cordon and a proper scolding.

— Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Staging a movie of broad scolding maximalism isn’t the same thing as staging a movie of debonair satirical insanity.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of scolding

Noun

Martin Kulldorff critiques scientific gatekeepers at NIH lecture Should academic journals decide what science should be published?

— Nicholas Florko, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026
The true meaning of death lies in bookmarks and raincoats, not in textbooks and lecture theatres.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of lecture

Noun

And while this dressing-down of beloved works might seem like another bummer in a world of doomscrolling, @heartthrobanderson is anything but.

— Jessica Lipsky, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
This change comes after Grok received a dressing-down from users and international officials for complying with requests to digitally undress women and underage girls or create sexualized deep fakes of them without their consent.

— Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

Definition of dressing-down

Noun

Props to the whole team for trying to get the sketch back on track, and for Day improvising a small admonishment within the scene.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
That video shows three boys scrubbing the floor and walls of a room in the school with rags as Morrison shouts commands and admonishments.

— Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 24 July 2026

Definition of admonishment

Noun

Sinot then applied a smattering of rhinestones to Larsson's inner crease, but most of the sparkle was concentrated just past her outer lashes and up her temples in a wing-like shape.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026
The special effects team has done terrific work re-creating his body down to the creature’s fringed lashes.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of lash

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talking points

talking-to

talking (to)

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“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of talking-to

noun

verb

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