as in scolding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lecturing
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 dressing-down
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
Victoria expects that Tim — her confident, successful, morally upright husband — will give this phony guru a good dressing-down.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
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
Noun
Donald Trump’s dressing-down of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House was a lightning strike to the transatlantic alliance, dispelling lingering illusions in Europe about whether their American cousin will stand with them to counter Russian aggression.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
Victoria expects that Tim — her confident, successful, morally upright husband — will give this phony guru a good dressing-down.
—Noel Murray, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
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
-
The meeting had been overshadowed by the extraordinary scolding.—
Brian Melley and Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
-
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
-
The lecture will feature tribal representatives Stan Rodriguez, Priscilla Ortiz and Andrew Pittman, along with Nan Renner, senior director of strategic partnerships at Birch Aquarium.—
La Jolla Light,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
At these exhibitions, Colton would start with a brief lecture explaining the gas and its scientific properties, then invite volunteers from the audience to try it for themselves.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
To use these in a physical binder or electric site, create tabs for project and customer information, lessons learned, and concerns.—
Dr. Cynthia J. Young,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The rematch against Notre Dame is now the biggest game in program history and TCU is hopeful the lessons from the games against the Bears will pay off against Notre Dame.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Never underestimate the combined powers of a Liv Benson talking-to and a New York slice.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
Janine lost her eye as punishment at the Red Center, the training facility for Handmaids.—
Alexandra Hurtado,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on China in February before doubling it to 20 percent in March as punishment for fentanyl trafficking.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
As Gwendolyn Ogura, senior lash artist at Hairy Little Things, explains, a lash lift is a semipermanent treatment that lifts and curls your natural lashes to give you the appearance of longer, fuller lashes.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Whether doing waterline eyeliner, defining your upper lashes, or blending broad strokes into eyeshadow-esque coverage, this liner is ready to play.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In This Article Black Beans Potatoes White Beans Corn Artichoke Hearts Green Beans Black-Eyed Peas Red Beans Canned vegetables all too often get a bad rap.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2025
-
But ur rap swag and delivery and persona got something off in a very generic type of way.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share