dressed down 1 of 2

adjective

as in informal

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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
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 These rich-looking bottoms can be dressed up with heels and a sexy top or dressed down with a sweater or tee and loafers. — Jordan Julian, InStyle, 31 July 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 Both would be perfect for an elevated occasion, or they can be dressed down with sneakers and a jean jacket. — Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 4 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
  1. informal
  2. scolded
  3. everyday
  4. lectured
  5. casual
  6. reprimanded
  7. called down
  8. blamed
Adjective
  • His experience impelled him to join an informal yet determined community of researchers, doctors, and patients pushing for extra studies to help patients and doctors find the right dosage for an array of cancer drugs.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Judge Roach reminded both sides that he was not bound by any informal agreement.
    — CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of informal
Verb
  • Mills was grabbed and scolded by defensive coordinator Aden Durde for his obvious no-no.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The curious boys climbed onto the roof of their home for a better look, but climbed back down when scolded by their grandmother.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolded
Adjective
  • For Garfield, the story’s themes of nature, imagination and community feel especially timely as technology increasingly shapes everyday life.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • According to Disney, guests will have the chance to explore the city, meet its citizens, taste unique cuisine, and step into the everyday world of monsters in a totally new way.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of everyday
Verb
  • None of that made it into the discussion before Wilder lectured the girls about how to think.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Parsipur taught at Brown University in the early 2000s and lectured internationally throughout the ensuing decades.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 July 2026
Definition of lectured
Adjective
  • Options are available for men and women, including insoles designed for casual comfort, exercise and more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Your words may travel quickly today, so a pitch, invitation, post, or casual conversation could create useful momentum.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of casual
Verb
  • Alaves' Ángel Pérez was reprimanded by coach Quique Sánchez Flores after being substituted and punching the bench several times.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Rangel, who relinquished his position as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee amid the inquiry, was eventually censured, the first time a congressman had been thusly reprimanded in public in almost three decades.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 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
  • The 2015-16 El Niño pattern was blamed for record beach erosion along California’s coast.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In the climate debate, low- and middle-income countries have often been blamed for rising emissions, while the vastly greater historical contribution of wealthy nations is treated as yesterday’s story.
    — Peter Beyer, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of blamed

Browse Nearby Words

dressed
dressed down
dressed up
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Cite this Entry

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

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