DRESSED DOWN Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

dressed down 1 of 2

adjective

as in informal

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Dissimilar Words

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 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 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 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

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

Adjective

Already the spiraling cost of everyday necessities like groceries, prescriptions and gas have forced her to get by on a lot less.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 19 July 2026
This means everyday indoor air can expose children to higher concentrations of harmful substances than many parents realize.

— Dr. Lauren Zajac, Boston Herald, 19 July 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 messages were casual, sly, a little irreverent—proof that Google wasn’t like any other company—while always amplifying the corporate mythology.

— Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026
Try this formula for a low-key coffee date, a day of shopping, or a casual swing by the office.

— Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 18 July 2026

Definition of casual

Verb

According to state records, Tolliver was reprimanded by the state’s Education Practices Commission and given two years of probation from teaching in 2012.

— Austin Horn July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
The Israeli soldier who physically assaulted a CNN photojournalist in March was formally reprimanded by his commanders for his use of force but faces no criminal charges in the matter, the Israeli military said Monday.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 13 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

Style

“Dressed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20down. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dressed down

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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