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dress down

verb

Definition of dress downnext
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings dressed down for boorish behavior at the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress down
  1. scold
  2. lecture
  3. reprimand
  4. call down
  5. blame
  6. chew out
  7. criticize
  8. bawl out
Verb
  • Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • Especially for him in the same interview to be lecturing my party on democracy and norms.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Coach Hudson defends Ricky to Gerry’s face, but privately lectures his daughter about the optics of their close relationship as a female football coach and tells her to put some space between her and Chad (and unknowingly, Russ).
    — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • But the top management set early resumption as a key business target and harshly reprimanded a team working on a resumption permit because of the prolonged screening, which might have pressured them into wrongdoing, the report said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of reprimanding his pet, Linnetz seems to recognize the moment as a potentially good shot.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • This year, the irrigators began calling down water on July 1, boosting flows in the Colorado River.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 July 2026
  • Armed with a name, Polyphemus is able to call down his father’s wrath on Odysseus.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026
Definition of call down
Verb
  • In the ’90s, politicians began blaming video games like Mortal Kombat and Doom for real-world violence, and shooter games have remained a recurring scapegoat ever since.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Republicans have blamed Cooper for Zarutska’s death, arguing a COVID-era prison settlement led to the early release of the suspect in the case, DeCarlos Brown, Jr.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of blame
Verb
  • Kittens chew to relieve teething discomfort, while adult cats may chew out of boredom, stress or habit.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • It was widely reported that team president Masai Ujiri went into Casey’s office after Game 3 to chew out the coach for not preparing his team better to defend James’ memorable game-winner over OG Anunoby, who is now a Knick.
    — Eric Koreen, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Definition of chew out
Verb
  • While the sale has generated considerable interest, Bardot’s widowerBernard d’Ormale has criticized the auction, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Sneaker company Converse has pulled an ad that was criticized for evoking racist imagery.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Trippier and Burn are organisers and not afraid to bawl out their team-mates.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Women stopped to bawl out the police, who accepted this dressing-down with quiet embarrassment.
    — National Geographic, National Geographic, 11 Aug. 2020
Definition of bawl out
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

dress
dress down
dressed
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Cite this Entry

“Dress down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20down. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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