as in scolding
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dressing-down
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
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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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
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After the meeting, Mr. Schumer pulled him aside for a rare scolding.—
Annie Karni,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That tracks with a 2017 video lecture Baldoni gave as part of a Baha’i Teachings series titled What if Birth and Death Are Actually the Same?—
Peter Kiefer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Feb. 2025
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The Americans were prepared for a lecture from Russia’s longtime foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, who is well known for his tedious harangues.—
Michael Crowley,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Yet, paradoxically, every one of us also recognizes that failure is part of the learning journey and that some of our best lessons come from failure.—
Nathan Furr,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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Ever since, it’s been a series of lessons about nature versus nurture for the business school graduate, shaping the store’s values.—
Rhonda Richford,
WWD,
4 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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Team members need to feel safe to voice their opinions, ask judgment-free questions, and admit mistakes without fear of punishment and humiliation.—
Martin Zwilling,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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When failure is punished, people stop trying for fear of punishment, and progress slows to a crawl.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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It’s designed to define and separate lashes at the same time.—
Abby Kass,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
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False lashes are the quickest, easiest way to get lush, flirty lashes for special occasions or just everyday wear.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As a founding member of The Sequence, one of the first female rap groups in history, and later as a central figure in the neo-soul movement, Stone helped shape multiple generations of Black music.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, Stormzy won his fourth Brit on Saturday, receiving the trophy in the best hip hop/grime/rap act category.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 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 9 Mar. 2025.
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