as in scolded
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
Relevance
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 called down
After leaving the field at the end of the third, Fried walked into the tunnel leading to the visitors’ clubhouse, flanked by pitching coach Matt Blake, who immediately called down to the bullpen to have Paul Blackburn warm up.
—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Even the New York State Police had been called down to join, and were standing around in their purple ties and Dudley Do-Right hats.
—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
29 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
Ming opened up her fourth floor window and called down to the firefighters below.
—
Kate Talerico,
San Francisco Chronicle,
19 Jan. 2026
Derpetrossian was working with a hot shot crew with the Angeles National Forest when he got called down to help fight fires that were popping up around Los Angeles while the Palisades Fire wreaked havoc on the city’s Westside.
—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
17 Jan. 2026
Scott said, when he was called down to the lobby, James threatened his family.
—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
On July 14th, Etoria was called down to intake with a group of men of diverse nationalities.
—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
They are insulated with feathers from ducks or geese called down.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Even the New York State Police had been called down to join, and were standing around in their purple ties and Dudley Do-Right hats.
—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
29 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
Ming opened up her fourth floor window and called down to the firefighters below.
—
Kate Talerico,
San Francisco Chronicle,
19 Jan. 2026
Derpetrossian was working with a hot shot crew with the Angeles National Forest when he got called down to help fight fires that were popping up around Los Angeles while the Palisades Fire wreaked havoc on the city’s Westside.
—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
17 Jan. 2026
Scott said, when he was called down to the lobby, James threatened his family.
—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
On July 14th, Etoria was called down to intake with a group of men of diverse nationalities.
—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
They are insulated with feathers from ducks or geese called down.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for called down
Verb
-
Davis remembered once being scolded as a teenager by her mother after being caught speaking poorly of a classmate.
-
Well versed in what the lunar surface truly offers, Britt scolded a number of arty accounts of lunar territory promulgated by both NASA and commercial space ventures.
Verb
-
Once, in anthropology class, my professor lectured on an insular island tribe that cackled whenever someone got hurt.
-
Sharon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Member of the UK Association of Jungian Analysts, and has taught and lectured at many academic institutions, Jungian organisations, retreat centres and cultural festivals around the world.
Verb
-
Wimbledon fashion is also something that can get patrons in trouble, with Andy Samberg saying he was reprimanded for wearing black jeans in the Royal Box.
-
Anne White was famously reprimanded for wearing a skin-tight unitard during her first-round match in June 1985.
Verb
-
They can be dressed up with a belt, heels, and a nice top, or dressed down with flip-flops and a tank.
-
Zesica Striped Wide-leg Pants Pinstripe trousers are a must-have in my wardrobe for their year-round versatility and ability to elevate any outfit, whether styled for professional settings or dressed down for casual, travel-friendly looks.
Verb
-
In Guadalajara, South Korea’s opening day win against Czech Republic was headlined by empty seats, which FIFA blamed on several fans watching the game from the stadium concourses.
-
Officials directly blamed the unrest on severe staffing shortages.
Verb
-
The program posed a massive political problem for Mamdani, who’s been criticized by both his allies and opponents for his stance.
-
While state studies have criticized the state’s education governance model, voters have rejected at least four attempts dating back to 1928 to reform the position.
Cite this Entry
“Called down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/called%20down. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
