dressing-down

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some of those present left unhappy with the message and what they took as a dressing-down, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

This is a historic dressing-down of somebody who thought they were made of Teflon.

From Slate • Jan. 23, 2026

The tensions were evident at the recent meeting when the issue of officer shootings led to a public dressing-down of the chief.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2025

"The recent dressing-down of Ukraine President Zelensky by President Trump and Vice-President Vance was a glitch on a media stage."

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2025

I even had one hazy fantasy where Miss Geraldine herself heard about it and gave Ruth a complete dressing-down in front of everyone.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro