as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
dressed down for boorish behavior at the dance
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Recent Examples of dressed down
Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
With its refined silhouette, subtle logo detailing, and classic colors—from black to a fall-ready burgundy—the elegant accessory can be dressed down for coffee runs and classed up for date nights.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Even now, as a bonafide fashion success, with the Victoria Beckham label undergoing four years of consistent growth resulting in over £100 million in annual sales, she’s mostly dressed down in quiet luxury hoodies in the documentary.
—Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Mellencamp, 44, sported a loose-fitting jumpsuit, Prada crossbody bag and a black baseball cap, while Rea, who was holding a tablet in his hand, dressed down in athletic shorts and a white T-shirt.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
These timeless styles look polished, but can easily be dressed down with a tee and sneakers.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
With its refined silhouette, subtle logo detailing, and classic colors—from black to a fall-ready burgundy—the elegant accessory can be dressed down for coffee runs and classed up for date nights.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Even now, as a bonafide fashion success, with the Victoria Beckham label undergoing four years of consistent growth resulting in over £100 million in annual sales, she’s mostly dressed down in quiet luxury hoodies in the documentary.
—Scarlett Harris, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Mellencamp, 44, sported a loose-fitting jumpsuit, Prada crossbody bag and a black baseball cap, while Rea, who was holding a tablet in his hand, dressed down in athletic shorts and a white T-shirt.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressed down
Verb
-
Trump, then in his first term as president, scolded police in a social media post for not protecting the statue.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
George Clooney is looking back at one of the more surreal moments from his early Hollywood days — getting personally scolded by the legendary Frank Sinatra.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The weight of running this informal refugee network shows.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Some ends up in informal scrapyards, where workers burn or dismantle devices by hand, often without protection, releasing toxic fumes and scrap.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Cheen also lectured on the music industry across Asia and Australia.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
21 Oct. 2025
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Augusta was a devout Christian who often lectured the Bible to her sons and blamed alcohol and women for the evils of the world, per the outlet.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Because Moreno was not yet established, the Diamondbacks wanted an everyday outfielder in Gurriel, too.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The project advances from lab to real-world scale with real heavy-duty trucks and buses using the infrastructure in everyday conditions.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
More than a few times in that TV role, Long booked Punk in various matches, reprimanded him for on-television actions, or set up stipulations for his matches against opponents.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Parents’ ongoing protest of teacher removal Rupert has received an outpouring of support since she was reprimanded and transferred to Isador Cohen Elementary for pulling up old carpet in her classroom.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What began as a casual idea—something fun to fill the week after the course’s annual aerification—quickly evolved into a full-scale charitable event.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Turn casual contacts into reliable allies while Mercury harmonizes with Jupiter and Saturn.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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They are insulated with feathers from ducks or geese called down.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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And Josh still viscerally remembers a moment in grade school when he was called down to the office and accused of punching another student, mistaken for the other Josh Jones in his school.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That same night, while the two friends were playing online together, her friend mentioned that her daughter had developed a cough and blamed it on the water balloons the kids had played with at the party.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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Goldenrods are commonly blamed for fall allergies, though the true culprit is ragweed.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dressed down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20down. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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