as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
dressed down for boorish behavior at the dance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dressed down
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
It can be easily dressed up for dinner with nice shoes, as well as comfortably dressed down with sandals or sneakers for the pool or exploring the ship.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
Rattan, jute, sisal, wood, seagrass, and more are all great options for an organic feel that can be both dressed up or dressed down.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
These beautiful styles will take you from day to night, dressed up or dressed down.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
The Burlesque star dressed down her jewels in a effortlessly cool black sweat set.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
If someone is dressed up in a space that is dressed down, for instance, there’s humor to it.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2026
While Haim dressed down her look with a low-key ponytail and barely-there makeup, Swift stuck to her usual glam with cat-eye liner and signature red lip.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
Think of ranch water as a dressed down margarita that's hard to mess up.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
It can be easily dressed up for dinner with nice shoes, as well as comfortably dressed down with sandals or sneakers for the pool or exploring the ship.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
Rattan, jute, sisal, wood, seagrass, and more are all great options for an organic feel that can be both dressed up or dressed down.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
These beautiful styles will take you from day to night, dressed up or dressed down.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
The Burlesque star dressed down her jewels in a effortlessly cool black sweat set.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
If someone is dressed up in a space that is dressed down, for instance, there’s humor to it.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2026
While Haim dressed down her look with a low-key ponytail and barely-there makeup, Swift stuck to her usual glam with cat-eye liner and signature red lip.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressed down
Adjective
-
The pair of town hall meetings hosted by law firms operating under the name PFAS Georgia turned out nearly 1,000 people and served as an informal campaign stop for about a dozen political candidates — a nod to the grassroots outrage over the topic.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
If that window closes without agreement, an informal arbitration process commences — conducted under WGA auspices, conducted by phone, and conducted fast.—
George Heller,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Katie Porter scolded, Tom Steyer channeled Bernie.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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The victim said he was singled out for laughing, scolded, and told to continue reading before being ordered into the hallway.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
Yes, a distinction between what is often everyday antisemitism and the recent spate of violent attacks.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
As digital platforms have expanded, dating has become increasingly integrated into everyday routines, often reduced to quick interactions that compete with other forms of digital engagement.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
For years, states such as New York and California have been run by politicians who seem to believe prosperity is permanent — an endless resource to be taxed a little more, regulated a little harder and lectured a little longer.—
Larry Clifton,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Ratmoko is also a photographer, writer, and scholar who has lectured on intercultural communication schools including Yale University and the University of Zurich.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But the brand became the foundation for a global retail empire and reshaped American fashion with a focus on simple casual looks from khakis and jeans to T-shirts and sweater sets.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
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Lluritu is a modern, casual seafood bar that's quickly becoming a favorite in the neighborhood of Gràcia.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Israeli leaders later disavowed the incident and said he would be reprimanded.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The report noted that Tracey repeatedly removed his mask, something nurses interpreted in the report as noncompliance, and reprimanded him.—
Nichole Manna,
ProPublica,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At another point, NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman called down to Earth to NASA’s IT specialists on the ground to report that both versions of Microsoft’s email program Outlook installed on his computer were not working.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Ming opened up her fourth floor window and called down to the firefighters below.—
Kate Talerico,
San Francisco Chronicle,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Gatkhor Dual, an opposition official coordinating aid in Jonglei state, blamed county commissioner James Bol Makuei for blocking humanitarian access.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In a statement, a spokesperson for Angels In The Asylum blamed the closure on the film being unable to resolve financing issues with John Cairns and his company, Parkland Pictures.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20down. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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