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
Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
This elegant sky blue style can be dressed up with strappy heels and jewelry or dressed down with raffia ballet flats to work for a variety of dress codes.
—Jordan Julian, InStyle, 22 May 2026
Think of ranch water as a dressed down margarita that's hard to mess up.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Rattan, jute, sisal, wood, seagrass, and more are all great options for an organic feel that can be both dressed up or dressed down.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
These beautiful styles will take you from day to night, dressed up or dressed down.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 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
Verb
Zesica Striped Wide-leg Pants Pinstripe trousers are a must-have in my wardrobe for their year-round versatility and ability to elevate any outfit, whether styled for professional settings or dressed down for casual, travel-friendly looks.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
This elegant sky blue style can be dressed up with strappy heels and jewelry or dressed down with raffia ballet flats to work for a variety of dress codes.
—Jordan Julian, InStyle, 22 May 2026
Think of ranch water as a dressed down margarita that's hard to mess up.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Rattan, jute, sisal, wood, seagrass, and more are all great options for an organic feel that can be both dressed up or dressed down.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
These beautiful styles will take you from day to night, dressed up or dressed down.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 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
Adjective
-
Frequently informal and poorly regulated, both virgin and recycled polyester supply chains can expose workers to severe human-rights risks, including harassment, violence and abuse.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
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Some of her success with collaborators seems to have come down to luck and an eye for talent, as in the case of the still-up-and-coming Elswit and Oppewall, who served as her informal producers during filming.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Verb
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This time, however, Charlotte promptly scolded him for his untoward behavior.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
-
Four years ago, Infantino scolded critics during a news conference ahead of the opener in Qatar.—
Carlos Rodriguez,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Luis Arraez has been a pleasant surprise, and Casey Schmitt has turned himself into an everyday player.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
-
Millions of hours of officer body-camera footage — audited via relatively tiny samples until now — could be meaningfully analyzed, providing entirely new levels of insight into how officers are abiding by constitutional obligations in their everyday work.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Sharon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Member of the UK Association of Jungian Analysts, and has taught and lectured at many academic institutions, Jungian organisations, retreat centres and cultural festivals around the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
It was also being lectured by people who presented a formulaic perspective on a complicated future that the class of 2026 is already navigating.—
Ann Kirschner,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Seventeen food and beverage options include beachside food trucks for casual family meals.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Pasjoli is his more casual French neighborhood bistro.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Specifically, Ingram was reprimanded for allowing two employees, Butler and his former executive assistant, Gabriela Gudino, to baby-sit his children, and inviting them to Boise State football games.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
17 June 2026
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Behind closed doors, ProPublica revealed, the majority-Republican state Supreme Court quashed the commission’s recommendations that two Republican judges who’d admitted to committing egregious conduct violations be publicly reprimanded.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
5 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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An Israeli source told CNN that Netanyahu has also privately blamed Kushner and Witkoff for creating a wedge between the two leaders.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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Amid mounting public criticism, the White House took down the video and blamed an unnamed aide.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20down. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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