call down

verb

Definition of call downnext
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings I was called down by my supervisor for not catching the accounting error sooner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 call down King called down to Branch from the balcony of a hotel where several iconic musicians had made entries into the catalogue of protest music. — Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 22 Apr. 2026 At another point, NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman called down to Earth to NASA’s IT specialists on the ground to report that both versions of Microsoft’s email program Outlook installed on his computer were not working. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026 For fixes other tenants would normally make themselves, like changing a lightbulb, Ruby would call down June’s husband to act as a handyman. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 22 Jan. 2026 Ming opened up her fourth floor window and called down to the firefighters below. — Kate Talerico, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for call down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for call down
  1. scold
  2. lecture
  3. reprimand
  4. blame
  5. criticize
Verb
  • In one snap, the President, viewed from above, points his finger crossly, as if scolding a scrum of unruly children.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • Kirson remembered, adding that, minutes later, the show’s production team scolded her.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • Khimasia is an independent curator who currently lectures at Rutgers University.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 27 July 2026
  • Fauci stepped down from his NIAID post at the end of 2022 and segued to a lecturing job at Georgetown.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • According to state records, Tolliver was reprimanded by the state’s Education Practices Commission and given two years of probation from teaching in 2012.
    — Austin Horn July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • The Israeli soldier who physically assaulted a CNN photojournalist in March was formally reprimanded by his commanders for his use of force but faces no criminal charges in the matter, the Israeli military said Monday.
    — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Online, several people have blamed Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) as the problem.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Wright said that the argument blaming solar power for raising electricity bills doesn’t make much sense.
    — Velvet Wu July 27, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of blame
Verb
  • Republican lawmakers roundly criticized those programs, but also accepted the funding, Smith said.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • Officiating has been a major contention point, with players like Napheesa Collier previously criticizing the league.
    — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of criticize

Browse Nearby Words

callbacks
call down
called
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Cite this Entry

“Call down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/call%20down. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on call down

Nglish: Translation of call down for Spanish Speakers

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