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
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
And while a cape is an elevated design, it can also be dressed down, and jeans are a great way to do so.
—Morgan Evans, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
The handy bag goes with just about any outfit and can be dressed down for dog walks or dressed up for dinner out on the town.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
These pull-on style pants can easily be dressed down with a T-shirt to wear casually, or with a nice blouse or dress shirt and be boardroom-ready.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 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
The shoe comes in two colors, each of which look great dressed up or dressed down, and will only get better with each wear.
—Will Porter, Outside, 9 Dec. 2025
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
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
Verb
Rih dressed down the whimsy, in a white tee, jeans, and a fuzzyz white scarf.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
And while a cape is an elevated design, it can also be dressed down, and jeans are a great way to do so.
—Morgan Evans, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
The handy bag goes with just about any outfit and can be dressed down for dog walks or dressed up for dinner out on the town.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
These pull-on style pants can easily be dressed down with a T-shirt to wear casually, or with a nice blouse or dress shirt and be boardroom-ready.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 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
The shoe comes in two colors, each of which look great dressed up or dressed down, and will only get better with each wear.
—Will Porter, Outside, 9 Dec. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressed down
Adjective
-
Texas finished second in the rankings only behind Kentucky, which picked up all 16 first-place votes in the informal poll.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The activity appeared to take place entirely on a public street, with agitators effectively setting up what resembled an informal checkpoint aimed at identifying or tracking federal immigration agents operating in the city.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the Sentinel’s Cristobal Reyes has reported, federal judges based in Orlando have scolded prosecutors multiple times in recent weeks for detaining people who should have been set free, with one judge memorably comparing the current actions of ICE to those of a third-world country.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
From home entertaining to everyday snacking, savory flavors are officially having a moment in 2026.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As the search continues, investigators are piecing together not only physical evidence and witness tips, but also the digital trail left behind by everyday technology.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Michael Woroniecki lectured about Satan being a very powerful force.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
-
If someone senses they’re being lectured or criticized, their walls will go up, and the conversation will stall.—
Devon Kuntzman,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The pair leaned in close for a casual selfie, sharing the beach day with her followers.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Locking that feature risks alienating casual users who rely on free access.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Routh was convicted of five counts in September after a disastrous attempt to represent himself at trial, where he was repeatedly reprimanded by the presiding judge, Aileen Cannon.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
In November, my doctor gently reprimanded me for ignoring my 2024 colonoscopy date.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Derpetrossian was working with a hot shot crew with the Angeles National Forest when he got called down to help fight fires that were popping up around Los Angeles while the Palisades Fire wreaked havoc on the city’s Westside.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
17 Jan. 2026
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Scott said, when he was called down to the lobby, James threatened his family.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, warm temperatures were blamed in part for high crash and injury rates.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The hospital industry is often blamed for driving up health-care costs, too, but that story leaves out important facts.—
Chris Pope,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20down. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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