as in scolding
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lecturing
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
dressed down for boorish behavior at the dance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of dressing-down
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Nine goals, a 30-minute hat-trick, an unlikely comeback, a last-gasp winner, comedic errors and a dressing-down on the pitch at full-time, all played out in teeming rain in Lisbon, made this a night to remember.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
So, while O’Neil will be in constant dialogue with Mosquera about ensuring his actions do not cross a line and disadvantage his team, there are no plans for a dressing-down over Saturday nor moves to curb his fiery streak too much.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
Reporters allowed back into courtroom as Costello testimony continues
Robert Costello has resumed his testimony after what appears to have been a private dressing-down by Judge Juan Merchan.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2016
The Indian Foreign Ministry immediately summoned German and U.S. diplomats for a dressing-down in New Delhi.
—Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Moreover, in a very rare action, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. was called to the State Department for a dressing-down.
—Elliott Abrams, National Review, 24 Mar. 2023
Noun
Meanwhile, tensions between Washington and Kyiv have risen to a boiling point, culminating in a spectacular public dressing-down of Ukraine’s Zelenskyy last Friday by U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
Nine goals, a 30-minute hat-trick, an unlikely comeback, a last-gasp winner, comedic errors and a dressing-down on the pitch at full-time, all played out in teeming rain in Lisbon, made this a night to remember.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
So, while O’Neil will be in constant dialogue with Mosquera about ensuring his actions do not cross a line and disadvantage his team, there are no plans for a dressing-down over Saturday nor moves to curb his fiery streak too much.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
Reporters allowed back into courtroom as Costello testimony continues
Robert Costello has resumed his testimony after what appears to have been a private dressing-down by Judge Juan Merchan.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2016
The Indian Foreign Ministry immediately summoned German and U.S. diplomats for a dressing-down in New Delhi.
—Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Moreover, in a very rare action, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. was called to the State Department for a dressing-down.
—Elliott Abrams, National Review, 24 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressing-down
Noun
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The meeting had been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding.—
Brian Melley and Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
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From her sharp scolding of a student nurse to her own tears of self-recrimination, Floria is a full-blooded and beautifully etched character and, yes, a heroine.—
Sheri Linden,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That earned him a gentle lecture from his mom about Michelle, and women in general, not being his property.—
Mara Wilson,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
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It’s become common to see Self lecture Storr about his defense on the sideline.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The bundle also includes comprehensive lessons on other Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Access, covering both basic interfaces and advanced features.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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The world is likely to never see Ezra Edelman’s multi-part Prince documentary after the artist’s estate killed it, but Questlove is still pondering its lessons.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
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Roberts pulled the reliever in, gave him what seemed like a fatherly talking-to, and – after Ramirez got out of the inning with the very next pitch – noted that sometimes the best course is not to yell and scream at a player.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Orange County Register,
30 May 2024
Noun
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Leadership strategies that involve coercion, and emphasize punishment, don’t feel very modern.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Columbia University on Thursday announced some students who occupied a campus building last spring during anti-Israel protests would face a range of punishments, including expulsions and suspensions.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The actress kept her makeup look to a minimum, opting for a subtle glossy lip and bold lashes, and wore her hair in loose curls.—
Lori A Bashian Fox News,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
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Typically reserved for lashes and liners, a mix of the new Prada Lines Durable Gliding Eye Pencils in black and brown shades was first used to fill the brows and define the squared, straight shape desired.—
Sandra Salibian,
WWD,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Unofficially, the headliner that night was Sematary, who at the time was 23, and whose role as leader of the young, spectral, and heavily referential rap collective had recently come into question.—
Meaghan Garvey,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2025
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Tekashi 6ix9ine is one of the most controversial rap figures of the last almost decade.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While most have become accustomed and perhaps even oblivious to McGregor’s online rants, openly criticizing a business partner is a little dicey.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Shiney-Ajay said Harris should have spent additional time criticizing lawmakers—like Manchin and Congressional Republicans—who limited the administration's climate goals, using it as a chance to emphasize her intent to seek greater climate victories in the future.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Dressing-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressing-down. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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