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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After the meeting, Mr. Schumer pulled him aside for a rare scolding.—
Annie Karni,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
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Though beset by soul-breaking external pressures — including frequent scoldings from his boss, Gloria (Michael Hyatt), for the hospital’s low patient-satisfaction scores — Robby is a bottomless vessel for the pain, anger, fear, frustration, and heartbreak of those around him.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
9 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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Alicia Keys Sheryl Lee Ralph See latest videos, charts and news That’s just one of the Black history lessons comprising the revelatory PBS documentary American Masters – The Disappearance of Miss Scott, which premieres Feb. 21 (9 p.m. ET, check local listings).—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2025
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While Ferrari conducts all of its meetings in English, Hamilton started taking Italian lessons last year to interact better with his mechanics and engineers, like chit-chatting about day-to-day life.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 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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In fact, most international relations literature on cooperation finds a key role for enforcement mechanisms, assurance, and threats of punishment.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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What’s more, school punishment echoes—and exacerbates—historic racial injustice.—
Aaron Kupchik,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For her turn as a runway model, Pugh wore a set of spiky black false lashes that extended way past the outer corners of her eyes and allll the way up to the tippy-top of her brow.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
21 Feb. 2025
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Bassett’s makeup included such details as a smokey eye with long lashes, a glowing complexion and a glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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With Alligator Bites Never Heal winning best rap album, Doechii became only the third woman artist to ever take home the prestigious honor.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
17 Feb. 2025
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The Academy Award-winner did an impression of Eleven on Stranger Things, showed off her New England accent, wore her little Jackie O hat, and dropped another rap.—
Shannon Carlin,
TIME,
15 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 2025.
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