put-down

noun

\ ˈpu̇t-ˌdau̇n

How to pronounce put-down (audio)

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Definition of put-down

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an act or instance of putting down especially : a humiliating remark

put down

verb

put down; putting down; puts down

Definition of put down (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to bring to an end : stop put down a riot

2a : depose, degrade

b : disparage, belittle mentioned his poetry only to put it down

c : disapprove, criticize was put down for the way she dressed

d : humiliate, squelch put him down with a sharp retort

3 : to make ineffective : check put down the gossip

4 : to do away with (an injured, sick, or aged animal) : destroy

5a : to put in writing

b : to enter in a list

6a : to place in a category I put him down as a hypochondriac— O. S. J. Gogarty

b : attribute put it down to inexperience

7 : to pack or preserve for future use

8 : consume putting down helping after helping— Carson McCullers

put down roots

: to establish a permanent residence

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About put-down

Examples of put-down in a Sentence

Verb he has the annoying habit of putting down others under the guise of offering constructive criticism we had the whole agreement put down on paper

Learn More About put-down

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near put-down

put considerable store in/by

put-down

put down

Statistics for put-down

Cite this Entry

“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/put-down. Accessed 16 May. 2022.

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