as in talking-to
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scolding
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025
Neither his pressure on the Ukrainian leader, who Trump lambasted in the Oval Office, nor his recent scolding of the Kremlin ruler appear to have pushed the two sides any closer to a peace deal.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), was seen scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico, ahead of the 74th Miss Universe competition being held in Bangkok later this month.
—Anabella González, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scolding
Noun
The scolding came after Combs seemingly nodded at jurors during Bongolan’s testimony about the balcony incident.
—Verb
The letter’s tone was both-sides-y and scolding, earning immediate scorn—the pearl clutching about cancelation from some of the biggest names in media struck many as disingenuous.
—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.—
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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.—
Verb
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Censures, a means of formally reprimanding a lawmaker without going so far as to expel them, have historically been rare; in the 200 years after Congress first convened, only 22 House members were censured.—
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When conversation veers into controversial territory, Gott suggests redirecting rather than reprimanding.—
Noun
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Another teaches free guitar lessons to keep kids out of trouble.—
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Glenn carried himself with the confidence of someone who had honed his coaching craft through lessons learned playing for Bill Parcells and working under Sean Payton and Dan Campbell.—
Verb
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Christian author Philip Yancey is retiring from writing and lecturing after admitting to a long-running affair with a married woman.—
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After teaching at Sacramento City College and lecturing at UC Davis, Fisher moved into public history, working with the California Office of Historic Preservation and the Architectural History Department at Caltrans.—
Noun
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The shelving unit that contains some of his collection of roughly 20,000 books stretches to the ceiling of the two-story living room; McDaniel would later perch on its narrow catwalk to deliver his lecture.—
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Very few people want to buy a ticket for a lecture on overconsumption, corporate exploitation, and the dumbing down of public discourse.—
Verb
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This third point is particularly important when there is an outspoken founder in the wings like Chip Wilson who has been publicly criticizing board decisions.—
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Since a shooting by an ICE agent in Minnesota killed a woman earlier this week, Martina Navratilova has shared dozens of X posts criticizing him and others in ICE.—
Noun
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The entrepreneur said there was a stunt double for Chalamet's behind; however, the actor insisted on taking the punishment himself.—
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Authorities imposed a sweeping internet blackout this week that largely cut the country off from the outside world and escalated threats of harsh punishment while anti-regime protests spread.—
Verb
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The next day, in an email, Wynn appears to explain, blaming a dollar figure for teachers’ benefits that was mistakenly counted twice.—
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Discussions about the strike and closure online often turn ugly and devolve into blaming one side or the other.—
Cite this Entry
“Scolding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scolding. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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