talking-to 1 of 2

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
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
  • 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
Noun
  • Not only did the experts provide lectures, but guests could reserve dinner with them or have chat with them in the lounge.
    Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The anniversary of the landmark building has inspired parties, lectures, special tours and other celebrations.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • This history has a clear lesson: without addressing the Kurds’ cultural, linguistic, and political demands, achieving peace and stability in the Middle East is impossible.
    Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made by History, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Those lessons are hard to come by for a second-to-last-place team.
    Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In other words, if the board finds the union does not represent the players, especially without substantively addressing the legal question of whether the players are employees within the meaning of the NLRA, the matter would likely end there.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Any partnership or sponsorship agreement must include specific provisions addressing TikTok unavailability.
    Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
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
  • All of these moves have offered a window into how Mr. Martin might deal with Mr. Trump’s suggestions that his adversaries should face some sort of punishment.
    Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
  • In what President Donald Trump says is a move to protect the rule of law and free speech advocates see as an attack on it, the White House is promising tougher punishments for vandalizing public monuments, statues and religious displays.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Record-breaking rain lashes California, with two people killed during storm in Sonoma County.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Each coat deposits a layer of polymers that wraps around each lash.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The meltdown in artificial intelligence stock values this week punctuates Petek’s admonition.
    Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Forgotten now is Carter’s admonition that natural gas should be considered a premium fuel because of its scarcity and conserved for ‘noble’ uses like petrochemicals.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near talking-to

talking points

talking-to

talking (to)

Cite this Entry

“Talking-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking-to. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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!