CALLS DOWN Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

calls down

verb

present tense third-person singular of call down

as in scolds

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings I was called down by my supervisor for not catching the accounting error sooner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calls down

Verb

Someone else scolds the offender.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Inspired by This Is Spinal Tap, Cundieff makes quick work of lambasting the casual misogyny and homophobia ingrained in hardcore rap, but also of the media scolds unable to parse the message of the music.

— Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026

Definition of scolds

Verb

In fact, they were borne out of more practical considerations, said Elizabeth Morton, a planning and urban design consultant who lectures at George Washington University.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 July 2026
Today’s successful downtowns rely on a mix of ingredients, said Steven Falk, the former city manager of Lafayette, who’s served as an interim city executive in Oakland and Richmond and who lectures at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 June 2026

Definition of lectures

Verb

Scarlett Johansson dresses down in a New York Giants sweatshirt on set for The Exorcist in New York City on March 30.

— Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Around the same time, Oscar de la Renta sent floor-skimming shirt dresses down the runway, while Stephen Burrows gave sequins a sporty edge in wrap-styles blouses and dresses – perfect for transitioning from work to cocktail parties in the era.

— Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025

Definition of dresses down

Verb

The war restarted after the collapse of a fragile ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran, which each country blames the other for violating.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 27 July 2026
Medusa is raped by Poseidon, but because Poseidon raped her in Athena’s temple, Athena takes it as an affront and blames Medusa, cursing her by turning her hair into snakes.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 27 July 2026

Definition of blames

Verb

While standing at the case, visitors can hear the audio of the speech where Douglass criticizes Americans celebrating freedom while millions remain enslaved.

— Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
The sharp lyrics and title are embodied in the music itself, most notably in the relentless rhythm section, which reflects the endless pursuit of conformity and ambition that Smith criticizes.

— Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026

Definition of criticizes

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.

Browse Nearby Words

calls

calls down

calls (for)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Calls down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calls%20down. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of calls down

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kludge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes