talking at
Speaking without listening
Talking at someone means speaking to them without genuine exchange—delivering words in their direction without listening or inviting response.
The phrase implies a one-sided dynamic where the speaker dominates: He wasn't having a conversation with me, he was talking at me.
It contrasts with talking *to* or *with*, which suggest actual communication.
- lecturingGiving an instructive talk
- invalidationAct of nullifying
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- rantingAngry, prolonged speech
frustration · tone-deafness · pontificating · holding forth · power imbalance · disconnection · steamrolling · alienation · dictating · disregard · not listening · deaf ears · repetition · disengagement · shut down · preaching · authority · imperatives
talking atdialoguing
Engaging in discussion
discussing · two-way communication · dialogue · back-and-forth · listening
talk, talking, talked, talks, talker, talkers, talkative, talky