1
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
new hires always have to deal with put-downs and practical jokes from the older employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in criticism
the act of making a person or a thing seem little or unimportant
your never-ending put-down of my musical talents is really starting to annoy me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
he has the annoying habit of putting down others under the guise of offering constructive criticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to record
to make a written note of
we had the whole agreement put down on paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to enter
to put (someone or something) on a list
put her down as one of the chaperones for the field trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to quell
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force
a tyrant who ruthlessly put down uprisings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to attribute
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
a fender bender that probably can be put down to the young driver's inexperience
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to eat
to take in as food
the husky youngster seemed to put down her own weight in food at one sitting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of put-down
Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 9 Dec. 2025
Because all those snarky memes and cheeky presidential put-downs won’t seem so funny if JD Vance is inaugurated in January 2029.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2025
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
The whole project began when Patti and Bill Tullar fell in love with Grand Rivers, Kentucky, and put down roots in 1975 by buying a six-room cinder block motel.
—Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
And the jubilation likely expressed in Moscow over Washington’s put-downs of Europe is reminiscent of the glee over Trump and Vance’s public scolding of Zelensky in the Oval Office later that month.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 9 Dec. 2025
Because all those snarky memes and cheeky presidential put-downs won’t seem so funny if JD Vance is inaugurated in January 2029.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
The whole project began when Patti and Bill Tullar fell in love with Grand Rivers, Kentucky, and put down roots in 1975 by buying a six-room cinder block motel.
—Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
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Using obscene or abusive language Any use of profanity, insults or abusive language is prohibited under the FDCPA.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Please don't waste my time filling up the mailbox with big shiny cards that scream doomsday insults about your opponents.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Because the Duggars adhere to a fundamentalist fringe of evangelicalism, the liberal media are often quick to use the family’s failings as a cautionary tale about Christianity in general, and conservatives can be too quick to interpret criticism of the family as criticism of the church.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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Rock criticism was unheard of back when writers like Christgau, Greil Marcus and Lester Bangs first started out, forming their own niche within a greater movement that came to be known as New Journalism.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The owners who were arrested were charged with felonies; however, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg later dismissed the case due to conflicts of interest.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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As part of the plea agreement, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child — another third-degree felony — as well as a class-A misdemeanor charge of child abuse and a class-B misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief were dismissed.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Ducks recorded a 70-60 win Friday over Virginia Tech in their first-round game at Moody Center.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
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The audio files were recorded when Benedetti was serving as ambassador to Venezuela.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With Luna entering your dreamy 12th house, your mind could use the rest.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
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Shadow of the Titan China’s new submersible enters a specialized market currently led by Western brands like Triton and U-Boat Worx, which have operated at these depths for years.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Jimenez quelled that in the 76’ to break the scoreless tie.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
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Border Czar Tom Homan was sent into Minneapolis to help quell tensions between state and local leaders and the Department of Homeland Security.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In January and early February, prices gradually rose with increases being attributed to winter storms throughout the country and affected fuel shipments.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
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And those predictions are slowly becoming reality as companies—especially tech firms—have started to cut sizable chunks of their workforces, attributing the layoffs to AI.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For many years, the Rushes had an annual tradition of eating at Wintzell's Oyster House before riding in the local Mardi Gras parade.—
SYDNEY PAGE THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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Prosecutors said a potential motive for Gary's murder was hate – illustrated by how Austin left his father's corpse in these woods to be eaten.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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