as in to scold
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 dress down
The Blue Crush actress, 42, dressed down for the occasion in a black long sleeve, v-neck shirt and wide leg jeans.
—
Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Now, dazzling sequins are typically reserved for cocktail or black tie, but the actor's rugged pants—which debuted on the spring 2025 runway back in September—proved that shimmering embellishments can in fact be dressed down.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
Its pleated fabric and modest silhouette give it an elevated look, though it can still be dressed down for daytime wear.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 29 Mar. 2025
Faustino was dressed down in a black T-shirt and camouflage shorts for the outing.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dress down
Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Now, dazzling sequins are typically reserved for cocktail or black tie, but the actor's rugged pants—which debuted on the spring 2025 runway back in September—proved that shimmering embellishments can in fact be dressed down.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
Its pleated fabric and modest silhouette give it an elevated look, though it can still be dressed down for daytime wear.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 29 Mar. 2025
Faustino was dressed down in a black T-shirt and camouflage shorts for the outing.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dress down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress down
Verb
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Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
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These days, nothing infuriates liberals more than to be lectured about the American plutocracy — not when Trump is perhaps the most brazenly corrupt president to hold the office in modern history.—
Alexander Heffner,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2025
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Maybe Healey can lecture them on how to sue Trump a hundred times and bankrupt a state on migrant hotel shelters.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2025
Verb
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In 2022, he was reprimanded for oxycodone trafficking.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
22 May 2025
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The Supreme Court on Monday said Broward County Judge Mardi Levey Cohen will be reprimanded June 3 as part of discipline that also includes a 10-day suspension without pay.—
News Service Of Florida,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
Verb
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But the game changer, a change in field practices that drove use of force on crisis calls down by 68% over a four-year period, was a different type of training — a mandatory one that Anderson helped craft.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
5 May 2025
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The next day the family was called down to the station to pick up Skip.—
Janine Rubenstein,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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India blamed Pakistan for the attack, an accusation rejected by Islamabad.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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With a robotaxi, there will be no in-vehicle driver to blame for crashes.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
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But to chew out his boss--Edwin Stanton, secretary of war--would be more than just getting close to the line of insubordination.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
12 Feb. 2025
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Judge is chewing out the parties.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The decision also sparked fierce debate from religious conservatives who criticized one board member’s staunch opposition to introducing prayer.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2025
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The achievement was especially sweet for Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who has been widely criticized for the club’s Premier League performance this season.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dress down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20down. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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