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
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
One day, a historian will win a contract to assemble the collected quotations of the forty-fifth and forty-seventh President—all the press-room rants, the Oval Office put-downs, the 3 A.M. Truth Social fever dreams.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2025
ABC News, 16 June 2026
The golden retriever, named Gilbert, had to be put down because of his injuries.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Noun
Crockett, a representative from a deep-blue district that includes much of Dallas, has attained fame with snappy put-downs of Republicans, many of which have gone viral on social media.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
One day, a historian will win a contract to assemble the collected quotations of the forty-fifth and forty-seventh President—all the press-room rants, the Oval Office put-downs, the 3 A.M. Truth Social fever dreams.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu was put down on 6 and made 27 to start their charge in the powerplay, and Silva was dropped on 1 and made 54 not out.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
The golden retriever, named Gilbert, had to be put down because of his injuries.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
-
Former Chair Jerome Powell for months was hit with insults when the Fed either didn't lower rates, or didn't lower them enough.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Turns out, this is a term of endearment, not an insult.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The Seleção victory eliminates Haiti from knockout play and gives coach Carlo Ancelotti a bit of breathing room after his draw to open the tournament earned him criticism.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
-
While backing its longtime partner Iran rhetorically, China has been measured in its criticism of the US for sparking the conflict and held multiple calls and meetings with Gulf states that came under Iran’s attack.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The judge also dismissed a criminal charge related to possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, according to Reuters and ABC News.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
On Wednesday, federal prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss all charges in the case, citing new video evidence.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Flash flooding in the South The intense rainfall in the Southeast overnight Thursday, June 18, and into Friday, June 19, created dangerous flooding and sent several rivers to record highs.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
The character launches a music career, records songs and steps into the spotlight.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Israeli troops advanced to its outskirts and didn’t enter, but their strikes pummeled what had been an economic powerhouse of Shiite business affluence.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
Check with lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may be swept into.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Authorities lifted the order hours later as crews quelled the flames.—
Sydney Barragan,
Daily News,
18 June 2026
-
But the back half is a heady object lesson in the limits of partnership—how even the right person can’t fully quell whatever torment lurks in the recesses of one’s consciousness.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The quote, often attributed to Bill Clinton, spoke to a political reality.—
Kevin Townsend,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
-
The Board of Public Works approved the grant on Thursday, which will be used to reduce pollution attributed to failed sewer systems located near the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal bays.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Kansas City Council member Melissa Patterson Hazley spent most of her day in the district attending openings for new businesses, visiting shows and eating at restaurants.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
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After eating, some of the nuns are wheeled out into the sun, but there are not enough wheelchairs.—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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