talking-to 1 of 2

talking (to)

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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
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
  • Graphic photos aside, and with the Menendez brothers attending virtually, Friday’s court hearing already saw the DA at the end of a judicial scolding.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The meeting had been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding.
    Brian Melley and Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Central Florida Stamp Club: Meetings include auctions and informative lectures.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2025
  • The student-teacher bond is remembered long after the lecture has faded from memory.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Come to Citi Field for the Mets, stay for the lesson on MLB’s obscure rules.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
  • In each episode, the trio will embark on adventures across Brazil, discovering unique biomes, cultural traditions and important lessons about environmental preservation and collaboration.
    Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Similar to linebacker, the Bears’ moves up front this offseason make addressing safety a possibility in the draft.
    Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Toxic positivity often prevents teams from fully addressing difficult problems.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Nine goals, a 30-minute hat-trick, an unlikely comeback, a last-gasp winner, comedic errors and a dressing-down on the pitch at full-time, all played out in teeming rain in Lisbon, made this a night to remember.
    Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
  • So, while O’Neil will be in constant dialogue with Mosquera about ensuring his actions do not cross a line and disadvantage his team, there are no plans for a dressing-down over Saturday nor moves to curb his fiery streak too much.
    Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • The punishment was far less than the maximum six-month sentence sought by the government but more than the probation that Papadopoulos and his lawyers had asked for.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • School personnel also would be prohibited from referring truant students to police to be ticketed as punishment.
    Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • The oversized brush grabs every lash for drama from root to tip, no clumps in sight.
    Allure Editors, Allure, 13 May 2025
  • Blow the heat onto the curler for around five seconds, but always check the temperature with your finger before putting it on your lashes.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • And his admonitions that Social Security is under threat are important.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Arnold Toynbee reminds us of the stakes with his admonition from many years ago that civilizations die by suicide, not by murder.
    Paul Laudicina, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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