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
Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
These timeless styles look polished, but can easily be dressed down with a tee and sneakers.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
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
Even now, as a bonafide fashion success, with the Victoria Beckham label undergoing four years of consistent growth resulting in over £100 million in annual sales, she’s mostly dressed down in quiet luxury hoodies in the documentary.
—Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Mellencamp, 44, sported a loose-fitting jumpsuit, Prada crossbody bag and a black baseball cap, while Rea, who was holding a tablet in his hand, dressed down in athletic shorts and a white T-shirt.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Even dressed down in a minimalist white button-down blouse, vintage Levi’s and pearl earrings, Scherzinger exudes the kind of glamour visible from outer space.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
These timeless styles look polished, but can easily be dressed down with a tee and sneakers.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
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
Even now, as a bonafide fashion success, with the Victoria Beckham label undergoing four years of consistent growth resulting in over £100 million in annual sales, she’s mostly dressed down in quiet luxury hoodies in the documentary.
—Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Mellencamp, 44, sported a loose-fitting jumpsuit, Prada crossbody bag and a black baseball cap, while Rea, who was holding a tablet in his hand, dressed down in athletic shorts and a white T-shirt.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressed down
Adjective
-
During the 2020 cycle, disinformation targeting Black voters has been spreading through informal channels on social media, according to a report by NBC News.—
David Smiley,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The informal meeting represents the first layer in the appeals process the district is entitled to avail itself of, Lecholop said.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This came after Nick Saban jokingly scolded himself for not fielding Sayin during their weeks-long overlap in 2023’s postseason at Alabama.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Trump, then in his first term as president, scolded police in a social media post for not protecting the statue.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This can reduce dependence on critical raw materials, lower costs, decrease carbon emissions, and ultimately make sustainable technologies more reliable and accessible in everyday life, as per the release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
At 48 percent off, the traveler-adored Matein Travel Laptop Backpack is an excellent, sensible gift that can function as both a personal item and an everyday sightseeing tote.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Cheen also lectured on the music industry across Asia and Australia.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
21 Oct. 2025
-
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
Adjective
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The dress code was casual for the at-home event, with Khloé wearing a brown and white cow-print, loose-fitting onesie.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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Best Restaurants Forte Restaurant Modern Italian dishes are on the menu at Forte, a casual spot in Kananaskis Village.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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What To Know On November 4, Itsaragrisil publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during a sashing ceremony at a hotel in Bangkok.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 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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They are insulated with feathers from ducks or geese called down.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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At first, Westergaard blamed the breach on an employee who had accidentally left them open and walked off the job.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Bobbitt should have come forward to the board about the error then, Crile said, since it could have been blamed for the error.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dressed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20down. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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