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
It can be dressed down with flats or sandals or up with wedges or heels. — Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 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 This elegant striped style can be dressed up with strappy heels and jewelry or dressed down with raffia ballet flats to work for a variety of occasions. — Jordan Julian, InStyle, 17 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 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
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
  • But in recent years, the informal community has become more active — and, at times, more divisive.
    — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
  • What if every leader was expected to create transparent pathways for growth instead of relying on informal networks and chance opportunities?
    — Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of informal
Verb
  • Kirson remembered, adding that, minutes later, the show’s production team scolded her.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
  • In February, a California judge reportedly scolded Meta’s own lawyers for wearing the smart glasses in court.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026
Definition of scolded
Adjective
  • According to the 2026 Kids Interactive Entertainment Report from children’s learning platform Lingokids, nearly 85% of Georgia parents say screen time is part of their family’s everyday routine.
    — Tara Duncan, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • From perfumes and synthetic flavorings to plastics and resins, acetaldehyde is a chemical used to make countless everyday products.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of everyday
Verb
  • Parsipur taught at Brown University in the early 2000s and lectured internationally throughout the ensuing decades.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 July 2026
  • Once, in anthropology class, my professor lectured on an insular island tribe that cackled whenever someone got hurt.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of lectured
Adjective
  • The space is brighter at breakfast, and a more casual vibe prevails throughout.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Animal print footwear has been trending this year, and Anne Hathaway proved that there is a casual-cool way to embrace it.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of casual
Verb
  • She was vilified and reprimanded for ACTUALLY taking a courageous stance against men in women’s sports and spaces.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
  • The league reprimanded the Aces for impermissible player benefits in 2023, docking Las Vegas a 2025 first-round draft pick, so stripping more draft capital as a punishment would not have been unprecedented.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 26 July 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 integration brought hundreds of NFL Media employees under ESPN’s umbrella, and chairman Jimmy Pitaro blamed the acquisition for the layoffs in a memo to employees Tuesday obtained by Forbes.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • This shift can’t be blamed entirely on America’s costly labor and strict regulations.
    — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 21 July 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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