Definition of put-downnext

put down

2 of 2

verb

1
2
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
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

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 put-down
Noun
Sadly, that period ended with the closure of newspapers, the violent put-down of protests and the arrest of more than a thousand along with many deaths. Alissa Simon, Variety, 16 May 2026 When Marilyn Walker was a little girl, her grandmother introduced her to sarcasm through genteel put-downs that sounded sweet but weren’t. Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
The next day on Tuesday, June 30, workers were seen putting down red carpet at Madison Square Garden, per a video posted by Deuxmoi. Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 In attempting to put down the Whiskey Rebellion — a violent protest over a whiskey tax — Washington made it as far as Bedford, which was developing into a frontier community. Salena Zito, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for put-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for put-down
Noun
  • The insults often accompany reports and even videos of kids and teens engaging in reckless riding — weaving through traffic, running stop signs, ignoring pedestrians, and performing stunts like wheelies in opposing lanes, sometimes without helmets.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026
  • During the night shift at Illinois's The Wiener's Circle, sassy Poochi Rollins slings Chicago red hots loaded with mustard, relish, onions, and more—with a side of insult comedy.
    CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • The legislation faced sharp criticism at home and abroad, and thousands of Slovaks repeatedly took to the streets to protest the law.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Asked about the greenwashing criticism, a Council spokesperson said companies active in the fossil fuel sector can still contribute to the transition, for example by developing low-carbon fuels or building electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
    Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • That suit was dismissed after a judge ruled that Lively’s accusations were protected by litigation privilege.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • News outlets uncovered years-old comments on Reddit that appeared to endorse political violence, dismiss rape in the military, criticize rural Americans and use anti-gay slurs.
    Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Compare that to a Caltech air monitor in Pasadena, which recorded about 650 micrograms per cubic meter during last year’s Eaton fire.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • The right side of his stomach was bleeding, said Houston resident Juliet Martinez, who recorded the video and shared it with CNN.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • The early returns were surprising for a candidate who had entered the race with little name recognition but, by Election Day, had become an unlikely figure in the increasingly bitter contest between the two Democrats.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • Once the moon enters Taurus, however, the pace slows down, and the need for stability takes precedence.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • The security adjustments aren’t expected to quell Mexico’s World Cup fever.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • The people ended up burning down the house of one of the tax collectors, prompting President George Washington to raise the first federal army against them and quickly quell the revolt.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • Later, in his post-match press conference, Pochettino attributed the team’s subpar performance to a bad day rather than external distractions about the Balogun red card.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 15 deaths and 13,000 injuries in the United States attributed to either the misuse of or malfunctions with fireworks.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • Don't forget to check the social media accounts of your local favorite eating spots for more deals.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Many kinds of fly larvae eat dead or decaying tissue and may sometimes end up on meat, but New World screwworm larvae need living tissue to survive and develop.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Put-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/put-down. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster