as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
I was called down by my supervisor for not catching the accounting error sooner
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Recent Examples of called down
They are insulated with feathers from ducks or geese called down.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
And Josh still viscerally remembers a moment in grade school when he was called down to the office and accused of punching another student, mistaken for the other Josh Jones in his school.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Stokes apparently called down to Bell, who answered.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
And Josh still viscerally remembers a moment in grade school when he was called down to the office and accused of punching another student, mistaken for the other Josh Jones in his school.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Stokes apparently called down to Bell, who answered.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called down
Verb
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The Royal Dutch Medical Association scolded the psychiatrists, and prosecutors declined to act.—
Asra Q. Nomani,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In 2013, then-President Barack Obama penned a thank-you letter to federal employees for their service and scolded Congress for failing to approve a spending plan, without placing blame.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Cheen also lectured on the music industry across Asia and Australia.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
21 Oct. 2025
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Augusta was a devout Christian who often lectured the Bible to her sons and blamed alcohol and women for the evils of the world, per the outlet.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More than a few times in that TV role, Long booked Punk in various matches, reprimanded him for on-television actions, or set up stipulations for his matches against opponents.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Parents’ ongoing protest of teacher removal Rupert has received an outpouring of support since she was reprimanded and transferred to Isador Cohen Elementary for pulling up old carpet in her classroom.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These timeless styles look polished, but can easily be dressed down with a tee and sneakers.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
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With its refined silhouette, subtle logo detailing, and classic colors—from black to a fall-ready burgundy—the elegant accessory can be dressed down for coffee runs and classed up for date nights.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But some Republicans blamed Newsom for the freeway closure, calling it an over-reaction.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
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As catastrophic wildfires spur insurance companies to raise homeowner premiums and drop thousands of policyholders across California, the industry has blamed climate change for fueling the blazes.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The rapper also expressed frustration towards those who criticized her appearance at a rally Kamala Harris hosted in Milwaukee ahead of the 2024 election, stating that the wrong parts of her speech went viral.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
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Even some of his Republican allies have criticized it.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Called down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20down. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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