DRESSED DOWN Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

dressed down 1 of 2

adjective

as in informal

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Dissimilar Words

dressed down

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dress down

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

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.

Recent Examples of dressed down

Verb

Spungen’s book houses over 80 cookie recipes, all glitzed, glammed, or perfectly dressed down. — The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026 The polished cut of the NYDJ Teresa Trouser Jeans is a deal sealer—they can be dressed down with a hoodie for a fire-pit-friendly outfit, or just as easily styled for a casual but put-together dinner. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 This versatile set can be dressed up with heels or dressed down with sneakers. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 The versatile shirt can be dressed up for work with a skirt or slacks and dressed down on the weekends with lightweight pants or a denim jacket. — Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026 At a meeting that month in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, Overton dressed down HHS officials for not presenting a document that would pass legal review, according to a person who attended. — Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 These beautiful styles take you from day to night, dressed up or dressed down. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 Think of ranch water as a dressed down margarita that's hard to mess up. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressed down

Adjective

Despite this informal, jam-forward approach, however, Silk Fence appear to be chasing something; an understated but steady coherence gives direction to even their most wandering moments.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026
In practice, that might mean designing for informal meetings as well as formal ones.

— Brendan Castle, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of informal

Verb

Eventually, all charges were dropped days before trial after Perry was finally given the full, unredacted grand jury transcripts and scolded prosecutors for violating the inherent trust placed in the office.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
In 2024, a judge scolded both sides for excessive litigation and ruled for the trust to be dissolved and for the house to be sold.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of scolded

Adjective

The Sun in your private 12th House opposes Saturn in your 6th, creating tension between the need to withdraw and the demands of everyday life.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
The self-regulation of the financial industry shows it can be done, as organizations like FINRA contributed to the democratization of finance that benefits everyday investors.

— William R. Gruver, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of everyday

Verb

Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
We’re also lectured early on that Cole is a chess master, but his alleged intelligence never pays off.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of lectured

Adjective

Wear them with your favorite vintage tee and sneakers or a polo tee and loafers for a casual ensemble, or slip on a sleek blouse and kitten heels for a night out with friends.

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 2026
In the United States today, according to the report, nearly one in 10 streams is of music in Spanish, and in the first quarter, casual listenership of music in Spanish reached 54%, higher than it’s ever been.

— Leila Cobo, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of casual

Verb

She was reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee for her stunt with the bullhorn.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
My mother reprimanded me for taking a sip from a cocktail glass without first removing the little plastic swizzle stick that often comes in a drink.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of reprimanded

Verb

After leaving the field at the end of the third, Fried walked into the tunnel leading to the visitors’ clubhouse, flanked by pitching coach Matt Blake, who immediately called down to the bullpen to have Paul Blackburn warm up.

— Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Even the New York State Police had been called down to join, and were standing around in their purple ties and Dudley Do-Right hats.

— Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of called down

Verb

Nuñez defended police tactics despite a growing number of severe injuries blamed on officers' riot-control weapons.

— NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Rather than point to the comments, however, Cruz blamed fans who attempted to force their way through the entrance of the stadium before the game.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of blamed

Browse Nearby Words

dressed

dressed down

dressed up

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“Dressed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20down. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dressed down

adjective

verb

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