as in reprimanding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
he scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they had made in the kitchen
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in talking-to
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scolding
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
After the meeting, Mr. Schumer pulled him aside for a rare scolding.
—Annie Karni, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
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
Still, in many voters’ minds, the association between Democrats and supercilious scolding seems hard to shake.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Verb
From her sharp scolding of a student nurse to her own tears of self-recrimination, Floria is a full-blooded and beautifully etched character and, yes, a heroine.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
After the meeting, Mr. Schumer pulled him aside for a rare scolding.
—Annie Karni, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
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
Still, in many voters’ minds, the association between Democrats and supercilious scolding seems hard to shake.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scolding
Noun
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Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
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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
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This is the last organization that should be lecturing anyone about respecting the game.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
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Faculty across the state rebuked it as an infringement on academic freedom and warned of a mass chilling effect on free speech and lecturing on divisive topics.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But fun aside, Wilson and Ciara are hoping to teach their kids other vital life lessons.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
9 Sep. 2025
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Limiting access to medications One of the most important lessons to come out of the data is that families should lock away over-the-counter and prescription medications and dispose of old products safely, Hoffmann said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The reaction to Noack's viral Instagram post has been overwhelming, with many people criticizing her and her parenting style.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The dispute also drew in renowned rabblerouser Wack 100, who defended Adam22 while criticizing Styles’ stance.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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However, the first module typically is a single video lecture introducing the class.—
Jill Duffy,
PC Magazine,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere in the book, Sheen writes about his public meltdown amid his firing from his hit CBS sitcom, blaming his rage on testosterone cream.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Sep. 2025
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Republicans control a trifecta in Washington — the House, Senate and White House — meaning that blaming Democrats for a shutdown could be a hard sell.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That the Sky’s punishment will last longer than five minutes is merely a reflection of their place in the standings.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Inter Miami players Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles, and Seattle Sounders staff member Steven Lenhart, received multiple game suspensions from the 2026 Leagues Cup as punishment for their behavior during a post-game brawl following Sunday’s Leagues Cup final.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When thinking of productivity, admonishing people to work harder won’t cut it.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Minaj responded by admonishing him and mentioning his past arrest for domestic violence against his mother.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scolding. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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