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
This Calvin Klein bowling bag looks sophisticated and modern, but as Gregory explained, it could easily be dressed down with jeans and a tee. — Anna Traver, InStyle, 20 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
  1. informal
  2. scolded
  3. everyday
  4. lectured
  5. casual
  6. reprimanded
  7. called down
  8. blamed
Adjective
  • Currently, informal waste pickers and scrap collectors make up a large portion of Vietnam’s collection system, so the new policy also will factor in that labor so that workers aren’t left behind.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Jeffries met privately with Kushner, a powerful but informal adviser to Trump, several weeks ago.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of informal
Verb
  • In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
  • For over a year, the White House has scolded and threatened the Smithsonian.
    — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolded
Adjective
  • What does fitness and physique mean to you in your work and in your everyday life?
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Including both everyday audiences and front-line workers in benefits is key, according to Farm Aid co-executive director Jennifer Fahy.
    — James Pollard, Fortune, 30 Aug. 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
  • The Clubhouse Restaurant provides a more casual option, serving familiar comfort food alongside some of the most spectacular views in Europe.
    — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Keep it casual and stylish by pairing your maxi skirt and white tee with your comfy walking shoes for daytime sightseeing without totally sticking out like a tourist.
    — Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of casual
Verb
  • Judge William Sullivan declined to declare a mistrial but sharply reprimanded the prosecution and told the jury to disregard Heilbrun’s statements on Clancy’s faith.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit says the officer was reprimanded and removed from further field training of Wadell.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 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
  • That followed an increase over the summer from $599, which Apple blamed on memory costs.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Lopez’s family didn’t buy the story and blamed Elias, who was never charged in Lopez’s death.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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