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 quilting paired with the corduroy collar and simple button closure makes this an easy jacket to dress up or dress down.
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Carly Totten, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, their two sons dressed down, with one wearing a blue button-down shirt and black pants and the other opting for a white shirt and blue jeans.
—Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024
The air of importance extends to the unofficial dress code guests seem to follow—suits aren't uncommon, nor are slacks or blazers, though they may be dressed down over mini skirts or paired with sneakers.
—Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2024
One of the more memorable moments came in 1988, when Democrat Lloyd Bentsen, Michael Dukakis’ running mate, dressed down Dan Quayle, the GOP nominee running with George H.W. Bush.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dress down 
Carly Totten, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, their two sons dressed down, with one wearing a blue button-down shirt and black pants and the other opting for a white shirt and blue jeans.
—Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024
The air of importance extends to the unofficial dress code guests seem to follow—suits aren't uncommon, nor are slacks or blazers, though they may be dressed down over mini skirts or paired with sneakers.
—Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2024
One of the more memorable moments came in 1988, when Democrat Lloyd Bentsen, Michael Dukakis’ running mate, dressed down Dan Quayle, the GOP nominee running with George H.W. Bush.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dress down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress down
Verb
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The Senate hauled Live Nation’s president and CFO in for a public scolding.Allison Morrow, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
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The New York Times reported that Hegseth’s mother had sent him an email scolding him for abusing women.Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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No one had ever lectured on such a thing, as far as anyone could recall.Tania Roettger, The Dial, 5 Dec. 2024
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She’s also lectured on the History of Costume in Chicago, and served as an Assistant Costume Curator at the Wellesley Historical Society.thehustle.co, thehustle.co, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The 49ers wasted no time in reprimanding Campbell for his action.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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Faced with claims of enabling fentanyl supply, officials from both China and Mexico have reprimanded the U.S. for enabling the drug’s demand.Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The producers call down to WBZ's Steve Burton, who's working as tonight's sideline reporter.Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2024
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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
Verb
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The regime blamed the economic collapse on sanctions, the price Syria had to pay for standing up to foreign powers.Loubna Mrie, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
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Peterson has blamed his former financial adviser for the issues.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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There’s also a story line of Harper being chewed out by Petra when Petra finds out how Harper actually got the information necessary to short Pierpoint, i.e., illegally.Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2024
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In the following scene, which marks a turning point between Emily and Luke, Emily chews out Luke for pushing a deal that ends up costing their firm $25 million.Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023
Verb
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Mangione was found with a three-page handwritten manifesto criticizing the U.S. healthcare system.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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Some civil rights advocates sharply criticized Trump’s choice.Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Dress down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20down. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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