as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
I was called down by my supervisor for not catching the accounting error sooner
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Recent Examples of call down
Trail Cams Go To War Trail Cams could be used like the sensors in Igloo White, to call down attacks on logistics vehicles by FPV drones.
—
David Hambling, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
This ranges from being able to call down lightning strikes, to conjuring twisters, to freezing foes solid with sub-zero temperatures.
—Griff Griffin, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The producers call down to WBZ's Steve Burton, who's working as tonight's sideline reporter.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2024
The pilot would locate an enemy position and mark it with small smoke bombs; an artillery spotter could then call down a barrage on the marked location.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
A number of companies are vying to win the business of apartment community companies interested in providing their residents with amenities that might best be called down to earth.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
If the alarm rang outside business hours, someone would need to call down a list of seismologists until someone agreed to come in.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2024
Dennis called down to a Detroit police officer on the street.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
There were other questionable calls down the stretch in that one.
—Howard Fendrich, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
David Hambling, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
This ranges from being able to call down lightning strikes, to conjuring twisters, to freezing foes solid with sub-zero temperatures.
—Griff Griffin, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
The producers call down to WBZ's Steve Burton, who's working as tonight's sideline reporter.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2024
The pilot would locate an enemy position and mark it with small smoke bombs; an artillery spotter could then call down a barrage on the marked location.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
A number of companies are vying to win the business of apartment community companies interested in providing their residents with amenities that might best be called down to earth.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
If the alarm rang outside business hours, someone would need to call down a list of seismologists until someone agreed to come in.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2024
Dennis called down to a Detroit police officer on the street.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024
There were other questionable calls down the stretch in that one.
—Howard Fendrich, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call down
Verb
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The Anti-Defamation League is scolding Elon Musk after coming to the billionaire titan’s defense earlier in the week.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
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Those opinions are usually punctuated by scolding those who do not immediately comply.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Weissmann also lectured at Harvard, Yale and the AFI and taught at USC and Sherwood Oaks Experimental College.—
Mike Barnes,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
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But first, she is scolded, lectured and psychoanalyzed by the prosecutor and judge.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Instead of a letter of concern, the board officially reprimanded Simmons.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2025
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Handler told Parade in a Jan. 3 cover story that the Grace and Frankie star reprimanded her for poor behavior at the event.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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While most economists agree that Biden was not to blame for inflation, the yearslong bout of sharp-rising prices hit Americans hard and, ultimately, cast a thick cloud over Biden’s presidency that carried through to the November election.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
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And voters’ belief that its beneficiaries are complacent elitists skilled only in symbolic victory can no longer be blamed on brainwashing by right-wing media.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Sun article in question reported that Sheeran had attended a party on New Year's Eve hosted by the Harry Potter author, who has been publicly criticized for making anti-trans comments.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
22 Jan. 2025
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PinkNews journalist Amelia Hansford criticizes the movie for portraying the titular character’s gender transition as a moral decision to absolve her of her past sins.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The coverall-style one-piece is easy to dress up with a pair of boots and a leather jacket, or dress down with some comfy sneakers and a beanie like Paltrow’s.—
Cai Cramer,
People.com,
7 Jan. 2025
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Elevate baggy jeans or dress down a dress with this effortless style.—
Kristen Philipkoski,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near call down
Cite this Entry
“Call down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20down. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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