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
Photos published by The Sun showed the couple dressed down, with Meghan in a black sweater, dark pants, white sneakers and sunglasses. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2026 Spungen’s book houses over 80 cookie recipes, all glitzed, glammed, or perfectly dressed down. — The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026 The polished cut of the NYDJ Teresa Trouser Jeans is a deal sealer—they can be dressed down with a hoodie for a fire-pit-friendly outfit, or just as easily styled for a casual but put-together dinner. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 28 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
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
  • Youth unemployment stands at about 23% and a large majority of those who do have a job work in the informal sector.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Just this week, some Massachusetts senators voted in an informal session to advance a bill that would put a stop to springing forward and falling back.
    — Amanda Callahan, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of informal
Verb
  • Abe doesn’t like that Erin scolded him at his party about spilling his drink and not helping with the kids, and Erin is frustrated that none of her children will listen to her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
  • For example, just recently, Musk publicly scolded the CEO of Delta in a scorching post on X when the airline did not partner with Starlink to provide Wi-Fi on Delta flights.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of scolded
Adjective
  • Many academic researchers publish only a handful of papers each year, seeking scientific discoveries or solutions to everyday problems facing businesses and government agencies.
    — TODD WALLACK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Established in the 1880s, Greenwood Cemetery reflects much of Orlando’s history, including the racial boundaries that governed everyday life during the Jim Crow era.
    — Sarah M. Boye, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of everyday
Verb
  • Earhart lectured at the school before embarking on her final flight.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of lectured
Adjective
  • Sports events and fun activities with kids plus casual get-togethers will please you.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The low armrests and casual deco weave fabric make for an inviting spot for guests or for a cozy afternoon curled up with a book.
    — Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of casual
Verb
  • In a social media poll Wednesday afternoon, Mary Talley Bowden—a dejected MAHA activist, anti-vaccine advocate, and doctor reprimanded for prescribing ivermectin to treat COVID-19—polled her followers about what should come next.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Mandell was later formally reprimanded for allowing another client’s hearing to be delayed by six years, during which time two witnesses died.
    — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 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
  • Rodolfo Friedmann, a party vice president, called for Peña's expulsion, while Senate President Basilio Núñez defended the president and blamed the central bank instead.
    — EMILIO SANABRIA, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Lawson said Amendment 3 outperformed a nationwide shift to the left, and blamed the loss on out-of-state donors contributing to the opposition.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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