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talking-to

[taw-king-too] / ˈtɔ kɪŋˌtu /
NOUN
admonishment
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONG


NOUN
admonition
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONGEST






Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Later that year, in a blog post on his personal website, Bosworth recounted a talking-to he had once received from Sheryl Sandberg, the company’s then-head of operations, about his overbearing way of communicating.

From The Wall Street Journal May 25, 2026

They could both use a talking-to from Piper, who is trying to get to the essence of her identity without male validation.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 16, 2025

But after a serious talking-to from his corner, Catterall aimed to take the front foot and it paid off as he rocked Prograis with a hammering left.

From BBC Oct. 26, 2024

Now banks will get a talking-to from their risk managers and from investors, maybe even at shareholder meetings.

From Scientific American Mar. 18, 2023

“This is exactly why I didn’t want you hanging out with those rapper guys,” he said, because he needed to close with something sufficiently parental for it to count as a proper talking-to.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

After a week or so of criticism and talking-tos from his staff, Biden reversed his position.

From Slate Jul. 12, 2022

He gave us a couple of stern talking-tos across his seven years.

From BBC Jun. 16, 2022

Despite repeated questionings and stern talking-tos both at school and at home, she had refused to say anything about what had caused this outburst.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

All the stern talking-tos she’d gotten at the orphanage, all the wagging fingers and tight faces...they circled back around her like a whirlwind of shame.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older




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